Lone Tree Voice > Sports
Grizzlies face uphill battle
 |
| Above left, ThunderRidge's Dave Arnold takes a shot during practice Dec. 1. Above, junior Dave Day slams an alley-oop dunk during practice. Photos by Courtney Kuhlen | ckuhlen@ccnewspapers.com |
By Louis Zoldy
Nine senior classes have come through the ThunderRidge High School boys basketball program. Of those nine, eight have pushed the Grizzlies to at least the quarterfinal round of the 5A state tournament. Last year’s class came within three points of Denver East in the championship game, losing 62-59.
Now, however, it’s a whole new game for TRHS.
Having lost six seniors to graduation and with another player relocating to Seattle, four starters are gone from that championship-caliber squad that finished 24-4 and won the Continental Conference, leaving the 2008-09 Grizzlies with big shoes to fill in their quest to once again be contenders.
“We lost a lot, and we don’t have a lot of experience. Plus we have a couple of kids injured right now. It’s the most adversity we’ve ever faced,” head coach Joe Ortiz said. “Our margin for error is certainly a lot smaller than it has been in the past. Right now we’re trying to take baby steps and play it one game at a time, one day at a time.”
Although there are many roles for new players to fill on varsity, the Grizzlies are not without talent. Ortiz is looking toward two players in particular to lead the way this winter, especially in the early going.
First and foremost is senior Dave Arnold — the only returning starter from a year ago. Arnold is the point guard and returns having averaged 11 points and five assists per game. However, with the loss of ThunderRidge’s top offensive threats Arnold will be expected to shoulder more of that load.
“He’s strong, athletic, explosive — he can do it all, and he will have to,” Ortiz said.
“I like challenges and this new role will be a big challenge for me,” Arnold said. “Last year I was trying to distribute to our scorers and now I think I’m going to have to score a lot more than I have in the past. But once we get into our games and start feeling more comfortable then guys can take the load off my shoulders a little bit.”
Ortiz is hoping junior Dave Day will be one to do just that. At 6 feet 7, Day provides the Grizzlies with a prominent inside presence. With his size, athleticism and finesse around the basket, Ortiz said he is expecting the big man to average a double-double.
“Those two are All-Conference-type players and we need them to carry us and then have the other guys fill in the pieces,” Ortiz said.
Senior Troy Noser has earned a starting spot at shooting guard for the Grizzlies in his first year on varsity while fellow senior Mike Ernst adds more size to the frontcourt as a 6-foot-5 forward. Ernst is another player Ortiz is hoping for big things from, noting that “when he plays well, we’ll play well.” Brandon Jimenez is another senior who looks to get plenty of time at guard.
Among the junior class, Alex Waner at guard, Josh Heikkila at forward, and Jordan Grace at guard will be counted on for contributions. Waner and Heikkila are both sidelined to start the season, Waner with a concussion and Heikkila with a shoulder injury, but Ortiz expects to have the duo back later this month.
Sophomores Brett Lisle, a 6-foot-7 post player, and Ryan Pagnotta, a 6-foot-3 guard/forward, have also made the varsity squad and look to gain experience along with freshmen Ryan Arnold, a guard, and Zach Jones, a strong and quick 6-foot-4 forward.
“We have a lot of guys playing up higher than normal because of where we’re at, but this is an extremely loyal group of kids and they are extremely coachable,” Ortiz said. “This year there are a lot of unknowns, so we don’t try to get ahead of ourselves with goals or expectations. All we can do is take care of today; there’s no reason to think bigger than that.”
ThunderRidge opened the season following press time Dec. 2 against Thomas Jefferson and plays again at home Dec. 9 against Columbine. Conference play begins Jan. 16 versus Gateway.
“We’ve made a huge jump from where we were a couple of weeks ago, but as far as this team is concerned, our goals should be one game at a time,” Arnold said. “I think most teams are going to overlook us and I think we’ll be underdogs and have to work our way from the bottom up. We certainly won’t have as big a target on our backs, but hopefully we’ll surprise some people this year.”
Now, however, it’s a whole new game for TRHS.
Having lost six seniors to graduation and with another player relocating to Seattle, four starters are gone from that championship-caliber squad that finished 24-4 and won the Continental Conference, leaving the 2008-09 Grizzlies with big shoes to fill in their quest to once again be contenders.
“We lost a lot, and we don’t have a lot of experience. Plus we have a couple of kids injured right now. It’s the most adversity we’ve ever faced,” head coach Joe Ortiz said. “Our margin for error is certainly a lot smaller than it has been in the past. Right now we’re trying to take baby steps and play it one game at a time, one day at a time.”
Although there are many roles for new players to fill on varsity, the Grizzlies are not without talent. Ortiz is looking toward two players in particular to lead the way this winter, especially in the early going.
First and foremost is senior Dave Arnold — the only returning starter from a year ago. Arnold is the point guard and returns having averaged 11 points and five assists per game. However, with the loss of ThunderRidge’s top offensive threats Arnold will be expected to shoulder more of that load.
“He’s strong, athletic, explosive — he can do it all, and he will have to,” Ortiz said.
“I like challenges and this new role will be a big challenge for me,” Arnold said. “Last year I was trying to distribute to our scorers and now I think I’m going to have to score a lot more than I have in the past. But once we get into our games and start feeling more comfortable then guys can take the load off my shoulders a little bit.”
Ortiz is hoping junior Dave Day will be one to do just that. At 6 feet 7, Day provides the Grizzlies with a prominent inside presence. With his size, athleticism and finesse around the basket, Ortiz said he is expecting the big man to average a double-double.
“Those two are All-Conference-type players and we need them to carry us and then have the other guys fill in the pieces,” Ortiz said.
Senior Troy Noser has earned a starting spot at shooting guard for the Grizzlies in his first year on varsity while fellow senior Mike Ernst adds more size to the frontcourt as a 6-foot-5 forward. Ernst is another player Ortiz is hoping for big things from, noting that “when he plays well, we’ll play well.” Brandon Jimenez is another senior who looks to get plenty of time at guard.
Among the junior class, Alex Waner at guard, Josh Heikkila at forward, and Jordan Grace at guard will be counted on for contributions. Waner and Heikkila are both sidelined to start the season, Waner with a concussion and Heikkila with a shoulder injury, but Ortiz expects to have the duo back later this month.
Sophomores Brett Lisle, a 6-foot-7 post player, and Ryan Pagnotta, a 6-foot-3 guard/forward, have also made the varsity squad and look to gain experience along with freshmen Ryan Arnold, a guard, and Zach Jones, a strong and quick 6-foot-4 forward.
“We have a lot of guys playing up higher than normal because of where we’re at, but this is an extremely loyal group of kids and they are extremely coachable,” Ortiz said. “This year there are a lot of unknowns, so we don’t try to get ahead of ourselves with goals or expectations. All we can do is take care of today; there’s no reason to think bigger than that.”
ThunderRidge opened the season following press time Dec. 2 against Thomas Jefferson and plays again at home Dec. 9 against Columbine. Conference play begins Jan. 16 versus Gateway.
“We’ve made a huge jump from where we were a couple of weeks ago, but as far as this team is concerned, our goals should be one game at a time,” Arnold said. “I think most teams are going to overlook us and I think we’ll be underdogs and have to work our way from the bottom up. We certainly won’t have as big a target on our backs, but hopefully we’ll surprise some people this year.”
Copyright © 2009 - Colorado Community Newspapers Online