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Defense a winner
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| H&N photo by Josh Petrie Going up: Mazama point guard Daniel Mathis, shown leaping for a steal during Tuesday’s victory over Phoenix, is one main ingredient in a record-setting Viking defense. Mazama is allowing a program record-low 43.3 points per game, including a single-mark of 26 Tuesday night. |
Off to 6-1 start: Record-setting defense key to reaching playoffs
By JOSH PETRIE
H&N Sports Writer
Mazama has been working to become the best defense in the Southern Sky Conference this boys basketball season.
What may result is the Vikings’ best defense … ever.
With a slew of long, quick defenders surrounding 5-foot-8 sophomore spark plug Daniel Mathis, Mazama is allowing five fewer points per game than it has in the program’s 30-season history. The Viks’ defensive commitment is the biggest reason why they’re off to a 6-1 start, their best in several years.
“It could be huge. It could be what takes us to the playoffs,” Mathis said of the defense. “When we play defense hard, we can stop just about anyone.”
Mazama currently is allowing 43.3 points per game, which is well below the program record of 48.7 set in 1983-84. Current head coach Randy Rose was a junior on that team, and assistant coach Dan Fast was the head coach.
This year’s Viks also are forcing opponents into a .404 shooting percentage from the field, including .301 from three-point range. They have held opponents under 30 points twice, after having done so five times in their first 29 seasons, and set a single-game record for fewest points allowed in Tuesday’s 61-26 victory over Phoenix.
Mixing it up
Much like the ’83-84 team, this year’s Viks use a 1-3-1 zone as their signature defense. Four starters — senior Jordan Rose (6-2), junior Charles Swann (6-4), senior Drew Millsap (6-5) and senior Shawn Mawson (6-7) — are 6-2 or taller, and every member of the starting five has a combination of wingspan, quickness and instinct that prevents easy scoring opportunities against the zone.
“We’re quick, and everybody sees the floor on defense well. Our big guys see the offensive players coming up, and they know where to be at the right time,” Jordan Rose said. “We’ve been working hard all the time on defense, and running and getting prepared (for league).”
The 1-3-1, however, is far from the only defense Mazama uses. The Viks also run a 2-3 zone, apply full-court pressure, trap or go man-to-man when the situation calls for them.They will change their looks on the fly to keep offenses guessing.
“We’re trying to mix it up. We change up our defense, depending on whether we made a shot or missed a shot, which really helps keep an offense out of sync,” Randy Rose said. “Just being able to change up defense, and have a team be able to do that because they’re smart enough, can really mess up offenses. It’s hard to get into an offensive rhythm.”
Perimeter prowess
Defense starts outside the key, and Mazama has a trio of guards and wings who give opposing perimeter players fits.
Jordan Rose almost always is in the right place at the right time, and he has the skill to capitalize on mistakes. Swann can defend almost anybody with his 6-8 wingspan, and Mathis is a ball-hawking point guard who is nearly impossible to escape from.
If opponents get past those three players outside, the two posts can take care of business inside. Mawson is a high jumper who can alter shots while staying out of foul trouble, and the 215-pound Millsap has the strength to keep opponents from working their way under the basket.
What may result is the Vikings’ best defense … ever.
With a slew of long, quick defenders surrounding 5-foot-8 sophomore spark plug Daniel Mathis, Mazama is allowing five fewer points per game than it has in the program’s 30-season history. The Viks’ defensive commitment is the biggest reason why they’re off to a 6-1 start, their best in several years.
“It could be huge. It could be what takes us to the playoffs,” Mathis said of the defense. “When we play defense hard, we can stop just about anyone.”
Mazama currently is allowing 43.3 points per game, which is well below the program record of 48.7 set in 1983-84. Current head coach Randy Rose was a junior on that team, and assistant coach Dan Fast was the head coach.
This year’s Viks also are forcing opponents into a .404 shooting percentage from the field, including .301 from three-point range. They have held opponents under 30 points twice, after having done so five times in their first 29 seasons, and set a single-game record for fewest points allowed in Tuesday’s 61-26 victory over Phoenix.
Mixing it up
Much like the ’83-84 team, this year’s Viks use a 1-3-1 zone as their signature defense. Four starters — senior Jordan Rose (6-2), junior Charles Swann (6-4), senior Drew Millsap (6-5) and senior Shawn Mawson (6-7) — are 6-2 or taller, and every member of the starting five has a combination of wingspan, quickness and instinct that prevents easy scoring opportunities against the zone.
“We’re quick, and everybody sees the floor on defense well. Our big guys see the offensive players coming up, and they know where to be at the right time,” Jordan Rose said. “We’ve been working hard all the time on defense, and running and getting prepared (for league).”
The 1-3-1, however, is far from the only defense Mazama uses. The Viks also run a 2-3 zone, apply full-court pressure, trap or go man-to-man when the situation calls for them.They will change their looks on the fly to keep offenses guessing.
“We’re trying to mix it up. We change up our defense, depending on whether we made a shot or missed a shot, which really helps keep an offense out of sync,” Randy Rose said. “Just being able to change up defense, and have a team be able to do that because they’re smart enough, can really mess up offenses. It’s hard to get into an offensive rhythm.”
Perimeter prowess
Defense starts outside the key, and Mazama has a trio of guards and wings who give opposing perimeter players fits.
Jordan Rose almost always is in the right place at the right time, and he has the skill to capitalize on mistakes. Swann can defend almost anybody with his 6-8 wingspan, and Mathis is a ball-hawking point guard who is nearly impossible to escape from.
If opponents get past those three players outside, the two posts can take care of business inside. Mawson is a high jumper who can alter shots while staying out of foul trouble, and the 215-pound Millsap has the strength to keep opponents from working their way under the basket.
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| Taking on all comers |
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