4th Grade

4th Grade Dawgs Take 3rd Place in Division 1


Game 1: Oakland Rebels (lost 43-40)

When we took the floor against the bigger and slightly faster Rebels it was clear some of our boys were overwhelmed and intimidated. But they soon realized it was the Rebels who were in trouble. Both teams came out with a full court press and it was a very fast paced up and down game. Our boys stayed composed and did a great job of breaking their press. So good that Oakland had to take it off! We had a hard time getting into a rythm early against their man defense, but none the less we were in the game. I don't keep stats but I can tell you there were several lead changes and it was a battle. Down the stretch of this game we were up by 5 with about 1 minute to go. The Rebels went back to full court press and the boys lost focus 2 or 3 times and turned the ball over. To compound our problem we let them get 3 or 4 offensive rebounds in a row on their last 2 possessions and they ended up winning by 3.

We learned a lot about intensity and focus this game. We were in the driver's seat and we lost focus at the end. Overall it was a great game and we learned a lot about playing against a very good team. Boxing out and staying focused! Our boys played very hard and played great defense. We moved and shared the ball very well, but you can't let down for one second or it slips away.

Game 2: Olympic Club (Won 56-38)

Our second game was just a few hours later on Saturday night against a very fundamental and very intense Olympic Club team. We were a little flat as we were trying to shake our prior game's loss. We realized early on that we were the better team, but we were in for a fight. They played just like us, hard nosed man-to-man defense and they were not going to lay down. The Dawgs would take the lead and start to run away with the game and they would fight back to stay in the game. The Olympic Club just wanted the game more and did everything they could to stay in the game. We had a 15 point lead with about 8 minutes left and they fought back to make it an 8 point game. Again, we are learning what it takes against top notch teams, INTENSITY. Great teams don't surrender when they are down, they fight back. So the boys got tired of listening to me talk about intensity and finally turned it up and won by 18.

Again, lesson learned was INTENSITY. We watched a team fight very hard to get back in the game against us and we had to match their effort level to put it away. Great job boys!

We learned later that we won our pool because Olympic Club beat the Oakland Rebels in a dog fight. So we earned a bye and did not play again until Monday afternoon.

Game 3: The Predators (45-42)

We needed to win this game to play for the Division 1 championship! We played this team a few weeks ago and beat them by 2, so we knew we were in for a long game. We were not very sharp in the beginning and we found ourselves in a hole. The Predators were physical and wanted this game. They pressed us and we were making mental errors. We were down by 9 or 10 midway through the first half and we had to fight to get back in it. The boys tuned it on and we made it a game down the stretch. With 1 minute left it was a tied game 39-39 and we had the momentum. On two consecutive possessions we were pressuring the inbounds pass and 2 times the ref called foul when they were clearly jump balls. The Predators made their free throws and won the game.

I gathered the boys after the game and told them despite what they may hear, the refs did not decide the outcome of this game. We don't blame refs for losses, there were things we could have done differently throughout the game. We put ourselves in a bad position and we need to accept responsibility and learn from it. The refs are outside our control, we have to play with what we were given. I was so proud of their heart and effort!

Game 4: Palo Alto Midnight 4 (won by 3)

This game was for 3 place. We had about 30 minutes between games and our boys were mentally and physically exhausted. They were disappointed and feeling sorry as any of us would to. But we had a game to play and we couldn't let down now. Palo Alto was a very good fundamental team with very good shooters and a very tall and talented big man. And they were ready for battle. It was clear from the onset we were a better team, but they came all the way from Palo Alto and they were not going to lay down. They had 4 or 5 fast break basket on us in the first 10-12 minutes of the game and that was not acceptable. The boys were gased, but we hung in there and only won by 3 points. This game should not have been this close, but we let them hang around.

Final Thoughts:

Coming into this weekend we did not know if we were a division 1 team, now we know we are. We did not know what to expect or how the boys would do, but I can tell you this is one heck of a group of boys (and parents). The boys had a great time bonding (movies, swimming, ect..) and so did the parents. This is a special group and I saw a glimpse into the future. Ryan Smith and Dawson Fugate played like the big guys they are. They are developing and getting tough, strong and skilled. Both of these guys can handle the ball and shoot. Gabe Gillespie plays the toughest position, coaches kid. He played very well and I see a kid who is a very good spot up shooter, can handle the ball and drive to the basket. Carson March and Ryan Haug ran the point and both of these guys run the offense and get us moving. Carson hits big baskets and Ryan plays lock down defense. Josh Farr and Blake Zieske are all around very good perimeter players who can handle the point, shoot and drive. Both are scrappy defenders and play the passing lanes very well. Justin Kraft is lightning in a bottle. He is the fastest kid on the team and knifes through traffic with speed, agility and power. He is our best defender and forces his opponents into several turnovers each game. Nick Periera couldn't be with us in Reno, but is also a critical piece to the team. He is an effort guy. He is one guy who is giving 100% every moment he is on the floor and a very good defender and spot up shooter.

Most of all this is a TEAM. They are unselfish and share the ball better than most teams I have seen. It is hard to guard a team like this and the chemistry is what makes it go. They trust each other and love each other like brothers. They pride them selves on their identity as a team, DEFENSE!

Go DAWGS!