Nicholson, Northwest boys get off to fast start
When Northwest senior Craig Nicholson leaped to block a fastbreak basket, it was an athletic, thrilling play. After the block he yelled, "Yeah, yeah, yeah" and nodded his head emphatically as teammates congratulated him.
It was a fascinating reaction by Nicholson, who clearly isn't the meek and mild guard of the past three seasons.
"He's been playing varsity for four years, so he's a veteran in the league and he's got to carry himself like one," Northwest senior Spenser Gales said.
Nicholson played like a vet, scoring 27 points as Northwest opened its season with a 73-54 victory at Southeast.
"We're just all out there and we mean business," said Nicholson, who also had four rebounds and four steals.
Nicholson continually pushed the tempo, quickly passing the ball up the court or scoring himself on easy baskets. In the final two minutes of the first quarter with Southeast leading 11-9, Northwest scored two straight fastbreak baskets.
Nicholson put the Grizzlies up for good with 1:32 remaining in the period when he scored on a layup, switching the ball to his left hand to avoid Southeast's defense.
"He's continuing to develop each time out," Northwest coach Chris Collins said. "I've said often his best basketball is still ahead of him."
Northwest scored 12 unanswered points for the 21-11 lead early in the second period.
Nicholson isn't the only veteran for Northwest. Gales, a four-year starter, scored 15 on 7-of-10 shooting and had 12 rebounds. Kendrick Miller finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Northwest's experience was even more evident as Southeast struggled to keep pace defensively. The Buffaloes gave up 16 offensive rebounds and 16 points on putbacks. They also gave up 16 points on Northwest driving the lane.
"These are (junior varsity) kids from last year," Southeast coach Carl Taylor said. "They're better, but they have a lot to learn. Now they see. I kept telling them.
"We are going to win some games, but how many? I don't know."
Southeast was led by guard Keegan Oyugi's 15 points, the only Buffalo in double figures.
Reggie Smith, who Taylor said didn't start because he was in the coach's doghouse, came off the bench in the third quarter and immediately hit a three. That sparked chants of "Reggie, Reggie" by the Southeast student section. He finished with nine.
"He can shoot," Taylor said."... We've got some good kids, but they've got to learn to play together. They got to learn to play the game."
Northwest showed that teamwork already is a part of its game as they passed the ball well in fastbreak situations or against Southeast's defense.
"We're all real close friends, like a family," Gales said. "When we pass the ball to each other, we know we all can make a shot."
Northwest (1-0, 1-0) 17 19 23 14—73 Southeast (0-1, 0-1) 11 15 13 15—54
NORTHWEST: Tuggle 1 2-2 4, Miller 6 0-0 12, Gales 7 1-2 15, Carter 3 2-3 5, Nicholson 9 8-9 27, Jones 2 0-2 6, Smith 1 0-0 2, Johnston 0 2-2 2. Totals 29 (1) 14-19 73.
SOUTHEAST: Henderson 2 0-0 4, Wright 1 1-2 3, Gunter 4 0-0 8, Garland 3 0-0 6, Oyugi 6 2-2 15, Greene 3 0-0 6, Cooper 1 1-2 3, Smith 4 0-1 9. Totals 24 (2) 4-9 54.