Two things:
First this blog is solely the writing and opinion of Jerry Huls and does not reflect opinions of, or is supported by the Fern Ridge School District or Chartwells K-12 Food Service.
Second: Please if you enjoy the blog send the link around, love it, comment on it and talk about it. We have four sports going now and things will be heating up when we get back off break.
Have a wonderful Christmas... yes... I said Christmas. May your Christmas break not only give you joy with your family but a greater revelation of the One who was sent to us that night in Bethlehem.
Peace be with you,
jdh
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Newport Launches Aerial Bombardment to Flummox Falcons
Still looking for their first victory, the Falcons boys basketball team can look back on significant offensive improvement, scoring a season high in points led by 6-6 sophomore Jacob Marr, who finished with a double/double. However, Newport came out with all guns firing throughout the entire game and when the smoke cleared, Elmira was left with their third loss of the season as the Cubs bombed Elmira 66-48 Friday December 14 at Elmira High School, in a game that wasn't as close as the score indicated.
Trailing by 20 or more virtually the entire first half, it seemed that the Falcons had solved the scoring dilemma they were experiencing and started to fee Marr who exploded in the third quarter on 7 of 11 shooting all from close range. He also added 10 rebounds to go with his team high 14 points. Keegan Cook added 12.
"Jacob is coming along well," noted Falcon head basketball coach Nick Garman in an email, "and was aided by some strong guard penetration by our outside guys who dished off some nice passes to Jake."
However, despite scoring a season high 22 point quarter in the third, Elmira actually lost ground to the Cubs, as Newport continued to rain threes as they did in the first half. Newport launched 30 three point shots hitting on 13. Five different players hit two threes apiece. The Cubs were led by Justin Plechaty who scored at will both inside and outside the arc, finishing with 22 points.
"They did surprise us with the number of different players that were firing up threes and hitting," lamented Garman, who was issued his first bench warning of the season in protesting a couple of non-calls on the offensive end for Elmira.
The journey does not get easier as Sweet Home brings a sterling 7-1 record to Elmira High School on Tuesday December 18.
Lady Falcons Endure Two Savage Beat Downs
Last week wasn't kind to the Elmira Lady Falcons basketball team, outmanned at the outset by the absence of center Maranda Hanson. Elmira found itself struggling mightily in its first road contest at Philomath where the Lady Warriors trounced Elmira 55-24 Tuesday December 11 at Philomath High School. Cold shooting that plagued the Falcons in their opening night victory versus Sisters, reared its ugly head again against Philomath. This was compounded by 20 turnovers and an anemic 3 for 18 shooting from the free throw line.
However, the biggest harbinger of doom for Elmira was Philomath big guard Sage Kramer who lit up the Falcon defense for 18 points most in the first half.
"For me the most disappointing part was the discipline of our defense," lamented Elmira head coach Ken Best in an email.
The lone bright spot was Carly Grossmiller who led Elmira, scoring 15 points often on aggressive drives to the Philomath basket.
"Carly is a constant burst of energy," said Best. "She just wants to play and play hard and she doesn't let the swings of the game affect her emotionally. The rest of our team needs to follow her example in that regard."
"Our mental preparation in the practices leading up to this game was not what it needed to be," explained Best. "Our focus, effort, and attitude during the game was not what it needed to be. I can tell you that our short practice on Wednesday and Thursday's practice after this game are two of the best we've had from a mental and physical standpoint."
Unfortunately, that didn't translate into a victory as the Lady Falcons traveled to Newport and were rudely hammered by the hosts by a cringe-worthy 69-18 count Friday December 14 at Newport High School. The 51 point loss left Elmira with a 1-2 count on the young season with Sweet Home coming in next Tuesday for the opener of a double header. The girls play at 5:45 and the boys take the floor at 7:15.
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| Elmira junior Megan Porter defends against Philomath's Emma Pankalla in the Lady Falcon's 55-24 loss on Tuesday December 11 at Philomath High School. Photo by Kimberly Lillie |
"For me the most disappointing part was the discipline of our defense," lamented Elmira head coach Ken Best in an email.
The lone bright spot was Carly Grossmiller who led Elmira, scoring 15 points often on aggressive drives to the Philomath basket.
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| Falcon's senior Carly Grossmiller attacks the rack for 2 of her 15 points in Elmira's loss to Philomath Tuesday December 11. Photo by Kimberly Lillie. |
"Carly is a constant burst of energy," said Best. "She just wants to play and play hard and she doesn't let the swings of the game affect her emotionally. The rest of our team needs to follow her example in that regard."
"Our mental preparation in the practices leading up to this game was not what it needed to be," explained Best. "Our focus, effort, and attitude during the game was not what it needed to be. I can tell you that our short practice on Wednesday and Thursday's practice after this game are two of the best we've had from a mental and physical standpoint."
Unfortunately, that didn't translate into a victory as the Lady Falcons traveled to Newport and were rudely hammered by the hosts by a cringe-worthy 69-18 count Friday December 14 at Newport High School. The 51 point loss left Elmira with a 1-2 count on the young season with Sweet Home coming in next Tuesday for the opener of a double header. The girls play at 5:45 and the boys take the floor at 7:15.
Friday, December 14, 2018
Philomath Takes the Falcons to School
"I want to see if they have a fire in their bellies," said boys basketball head coach Nick Garman, shortly before tip off of their game with Philomath. He was hoping that the Falcons would rebound from the lackluster loss in the opener to Sisters. Instead, he watched his Elmira squad come out timidly, fall behind 40-23 by the end of the third quarter, before starting to assert themselves far too late, as the Warriors waxed Elmira 55-38 at Philomath High School, Tuesday December 11.
"I would like to see us take the fight to our opponents sooner rather than later," lamented Garman in an email. "I would like to see our practice attitude change if we want to see a different result on the floor." Garman suggested that the two subsequent practices since the Philomath game were improved.
Already with a disadvantage because of Philomath's length and size, the Falcons complicated things by offering their opponents 21 turnovers and frigid 12 for 44, 27% shooting. By the time, Elmira was starting to see some progress in the final stanza, the lead was too great to overcome.
Still, Garman found silver linings in the loss. The Falcons out-rebounded the bigger, taller Philomath squad 31-26 and hit 13 of 17 free throws once they started to be more aggressive in taking the ball to the rack. Keegan Cook led Elmira in scoring with 10 points.
"They battled until the end," Garman commented. "which is nice to see the character we have. I do think we can play much better than we did, for sure."
The Falcons welcome the Newport Cubs this Friday night at 7 PM.
"I would like to see us take the fight to our opponents sooner rather than later," lamented Garman in an email. "I would like to see our practice attitude change if we want to see a different result on the floor." Garman suggested that the two subsequent practices since the Philomath game were improved.
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| Falcons' sophomore center Jacob Marr attacks the rim and is fouled by a Philomath defender in Elmira's 55-38 loss to the Warriors, Tuesday December 11. Photo by Kimberly Lillie. |
Already with a disadvantage because of Philomath's length and size, the Falcons complicated things by offering their opponents 21 turnovers and frigid 12 for 44, 27% shooting. By the time, Elmira was starting to see some progress in the final stanza, the lead was too great to overcome.
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| Elmira's Keaton Warner challenges a Philomath shooter in the Falcons 55-38 loss to the Warriors, Tuesday December 11. Photo by Kimberly Lillie |
Still, Garman found silver linings in the loss. The Falcons out-rebounded the bigger, taller Philomath squad 31-26 and hit 13 of 17 free throws once they started to be more aggressive in taking the ball to the rack. Keegan Cook led Elmira in scoring with 10 points.
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| Elmira's Keegan Cook drives to the basket in the fourth quarter of the Falcons 55-38 loss to Philomath, Tuesday, December 11. Keegan led the Falcons in scoring with 10 points. Photo by Kimberly Lillie. |
"They battled until the end," Garman commented. "which is nice to see the character we have. I do think we can play much better than we did, for sure."
The Falcons welcome the Newport Cubs this Friday night at 7 PM.
Monday, December 10, 2018
Elmira Grapplers Give Strong Showing at Springfield Invitational
As the new season unfolds for Elmira's wrestling teams, results from the Springfield Invitational on Saturday, December 8, portends a good season ahead. The Falcon boys' team placed six wrestlers in the top five of five weight classes to secure a second place finish out of 32 teams.
Leading the way was Mikey Montgomery who placed third at 220 lbs. Ian Drago (126 lbs.), Hunter Davis (132 lbs.), Grey Canada (138 lbs.) and Nat Brown (155 lbs.) all took fourth place in their respective weight classes. Ayden Walgamott finished 5th in the 145 lbs class.
The girls were led by Liberty Barlow who took 1st place at 105 lbs. Elva Zhao and Anna McDougal took third in the 100 lbs. and 155 lbs classes, respectively. Destiny Ruppert took 4th at 155 lbs. The Lady Falcons finished the meet fourth overall.
6A Mountain View was the meet team champion.
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| Ian Drago goes on the offensive in a match during the Springfield Invitational Wrestling Tournament, Saturday December 9. Photo by Kimberly Lillie |
Leading the way was Mikey Montgomery who placed third at 220 lbs. Ian Drago (126 lbs.), Hunter Davis (132 lbs.), Grey Canada (138 lbs.) and Nat Brown (155 lbs.) all took fourth place in their respective weight classes. Ayden Walgamott finished 5th in the 145 lbs class.
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| Elmira's Hunter Davis scores a ferocious take down during matches at the Springfield Invitational Wrestling Tournament, Saturday September 8. Photo by Kimberly Lillie. |
The girls were led by Liberty Barlow who took 1st place at 105 lbs. Elva Zhao and Anna McDougal took third in the 100 lbs. and 155 lbs classes, respectively. Destiny Ruppert took 4th at 155 lbs. The Lady Falcons finished the meet fourth overall.
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| Liberty Barlow gains leverage in a match at the Springfield Invitational Wrestling Tournament, Saturday December 9. Barlow placed first among girls in the 105 lb. class. Photo by Kimberly Lillie. |
6A Mountain View was the meet team champion.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Lady Falcons Find True Grit; Come from Behind to Dump Sisters
Except for a sublime, impromptu moment, Elmira's girls basketball victory over Sisters was anything but a work of art.
In a sluggish game where both teams shot horrendously, especially in the first half, Elmira's backcourt accounted for 61% of the Falcon's scoring, overcoming a first half deficit and pulling out a 34-29 victory in their season opener in the nightcap game, December 4 at Elmira High School. Senior Sydney Green scored 11 points and Carly Grossmiller added 10 for the winners.
Defense was the order of the day, especially in the second half where the Lady Outlaws were reduced to a meager 10 points in 16 minutes of play. Led by defensive specialist Megan Porter, the Falcons regained the lead on the first possession of the second half and began to wear down the Sisters offense.
"Megan is the type of defender I can put on their point guard, their best shooter, or their best post," Best added. "I trust her in every defensive situation."
The punctuation mark on the victory belonged to Cheyanne White, who provided the most scintillating, albeit inadvertent, highlight of the night. Breaking the Sisters press, White drove into the right side of the paint with the intention of scoring. According to White, she realized that a defender was going to be in the way and chose to pass. As the defender lunged, the pass bounced on a dime through the defender's legs and into the hands of the Falcons' Alexis White, who scored in one fluid motion. It was one of three pivotal plays that sealed the victory for Elmira.
White got another assist to Porter who hit a transition lay-up. With three minutes to play, White had a shot blocked but was able to tip it to Porter who found Green for an open baseline jumper.
"I liked our tenacity and effort," Best said. "They kept their heads in the game and never panicked, and they seemed to having fun. The part about having fun is important to me."
"We have a long way to go in our execution, conditioning, and in a lot of our skill work," noted Falcon's head coach Ken Best in an email. "But I was proud of how level-headed and focused we were."
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| Junior Maranda Hanson towers over three Sisters' defenders as well as Elmira's Megan Porter and Sydney Green to snatch a rebound in the Lady Falcons' 34-29 victory over the Lady Outlaws. Photo by Kimberly Lillie |
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| Second team 4A-Sky Em, all conference player Sydney Green goes up for an uncontested lay up in Elmira's 34-29 win over Sisters, Tuesday December 4. Green led all Falcon scorers with 11 points. Photo by Kimberly Lillie |
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| Elmira forward Megan Porter defends against Sisters' shooter Sydney Head in the Lady Falcons' opening night victory against the Lady Outlaws, Tuesday December 4. Photo by Kimberly Lilly. |
"Megan is the type of defender I can put on their point guard, their best shooter, or their best post," Best added. "I trust her in every defensive situation."
The punctuation mark on the victory belonged to Cheyanne White, who provided the most scintillating, albeit inadvertent, highlight of the night. Breaking the Sisters press, White drove into the right side of the paint with the intention of scoring. According to White, she realized that a defender was going to be in the way and chose to pass. As the defender lunged, the pass bounced on a dime through the defender's legs and into the hands of the Falcons' Alexis White, who scored in one fluid motion. It was one of three pivotal plays that sealed the victory for Elmira.
White got another assist to Porter who hit a transition lay-up. With three minutes to play, White had a shot blocked but was able to tip it to Porter who found Green for an open baseline jumper.
"I liked our tenacity and effort," Best said. "They kept their heads in the game and never panicked, and they seemed to having fun. The part about having fun is important to me."
Falcons Grounded in Hoops Opener
The season opener was a schizophrenic display of what one might expect from a team playing its first game against a team playing its third. Despite a strong bench performance by sophomore Jacob Marr, the Falcons were on their heels all night and fell listlessly to Sisters 53-40 at Elmira High School, Tuesday December 4.
Marr came off the bench to score 10 points, 4 offensive rebounds and 4 blocked shots. At times, the 6-6 sophomore virtually dominated the game. However, still recovering from a shoulder injury, he couldn't stay on the floor and the Outlaws took advantage when he was on the bench, sending raiding parties into the paint for easy lay-ups that Elmira was flummoxed to stop.
"The most disappointing part of the game for me," commented Falcon's head basketball coach Nick Garman in an email, "was how many direct-line penetrations we gave up and our absence of help side defense."
The primary benefactor for Sisters was 6-3 swing man Zach Anderson who helped lead the Outlaws to ten more free throws than Elmira. The Falcons also committed 13 turnovers.
The win left Sisters 2-1 on the young season and now 6th ranked in 4A. The Falcons fell to 0-1. Elmira travels next week to play Philomath in Corvallis next Tuesday, December 11.
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| Sophomore Jacob Marr skies to collect one of his 4 blocked shots against Sisters' forward Zach Anderson. The Falcons lost to the Outlaws 53-40 at Elmira High School, Tuesday December 4. Photo by Kimberly Lillie |
Marr came off the bench to score 10 points, 4 offensive rebounds and 4 blocked shots. At times, the 6-6 sophomore virtually dominated the game. However, still recovering from a shoulder injury, he couldn't stay on the floor and the Outlaws took advantage when he was on the bench, sending raiding parties into the paint for easy lay-ups that Elmira was flummoxed to stop.
"The most disappointing part of the game for me," commented Falcon's head basketball coach Nick Garman in an email, "was how many direct-line penetrations we gave up and our absence of help side defense."
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| Elmira's Bryson Forsman battles Sister's forward Zach Anderson for a rebound in the Falcon's 53-40 loss to the Outlaws, Tuesday December 4. Photo by Kimberly Lillie |
The primary benefactor for Sisters was 6-3 swing man Zach Anderson who helped lead the Outlaws to ten more free throws than Elmira. The Falcons also committed 13 turnovers.
The win left Sisters 2-1 on the young season and now 6th ranked in 4A. The Falcons fell to 0-1. Elmira travels next week to play Philomath in Corvallis next Tuesday, December 11.
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