Ferris Routed In Season Opener

Shadle Park proved strong in non-league game against Saxons

By Ryan Minnerly

The 2009-2010 basketball season opened in a very imperfect manner for the Saxons on Saturday. Ferris was overwhelmed by a Shadle Park team that looked strong offensively and defensively. The Saxons trailed by some 15 to 20 points for nearly the entire game after getting off to a very rough start, down 20-4 after just one quarter of play.  However, the visiting Saxons kept Shadle on their toes. After falling to a 16 point deficit early on in the contest, the Scarlet and Silver started putting things together on offense. It wasn’t until the second half that they started fitting the puzzle pieces together on defense however. Nonetheless, Ferris maintained an even game with the Highlanders after their early troubles.

Shadle won the opening tip. In the ensuing couple minutes of game, they scored 13 points unanswered. And they never looked back. Ferris struggled heavily on offense in the first quarter, scoring just 4 points. And not only were the Saxons struggling offensively, but were also in foul trouble within minutes of the game’s initiation. Shadle was in the foul bonus before the conclusion of the first quarter, and thus were shooting free throws after each foul committed by Ferris. They shot spectacularly from the stripe, rarely missing. In the second quarter, the Saxons scored 19 points, a huge upgrade from the first 8 minutes of the game. But, regardless of the offensive improvement, Ferris was unable to slow the steaming-hot Highlander offense. Led by Robby Douglas, who had 22 of his 29 points in the first half, Shadle scored 47 points in the first half, and had a 23 point lead heading into the 3rd quarter.

The second half was much better for the Saxons, but they didn’t gain a lot of ground on Shadle, who shot their way to victory. Ferris was outscored just 12-11 in the third quarter, as they slowed the home team’s powerful offensive attack to just a dozen points. The fourth quarter belonged to Ferris. They made a few short runs trying to get back into win-capable range, but could not get out of the rather deep whole they had dug themselves into in the first half. The Saxons

outscored the Highlanders 27-15 in the fourth quarter, with many thanks to junior guard Chris Wilson, who made it rain from three-point range. Wilson sunk 4 shots from downtown in the second half. His long-range efforts were not enough however, and the Saxons fell in their first nonleague game. The final score was 74-61.

It was not all bad news for Ferris, however. Firstly, this was Ferris’ first game of the season. Sure, it is early in the year for everyone in the GSL, and no team has played more than a few games thus far. But perhaps it is especially early for the Saxons, who’s starting five players have had just one week of practice due to a remarkably successful football season (all of the starters for Ferris played football as well). Secondly, the Saxons were much more balanced offensively than were the Highlanders. Four Saxons finished in double figures: Connor Halliday and Chris Wilson leading the team with 12 points, followed by Jordan Tonani and Riley Stockton, each with 10 points of their own. Jason Bates was knocking on the door as well, as he finished with 9 points. And finally, although the loss of any game can never be fully credited to the officiating crew, Ferris had to change up strategy due to uncannily early foul trouble. Two Saxons by the names of Grant Livingston and Chase Haack fouled out, and were in danger early in the game.

Overall, it seemed like Ferris dug themselves into a whole early, and then started figuring things out little by little. That, plus a combination of unspectacular shooting for the visitors and tremendous shooting on Shadle’s part, led to the ending result. Ferris now looks ahead to their next opponent, Gonzaga Prep. The game is at 5:30 on Friday at GPrep. Everyone get out there and support the boys, and good luck to the team!