2008 Woodie Awards
Idaho stampedes forward
TATE CASTLETON
Sports Writer
Issue date: 3/19/07 Section: Sports
The Idaho Stampede is out to make a statement. During the last month Idaho has won seven of its last 10 games. The Stampede have climbed atop the NBA Development League’s power rankings and captured the best record in the league. Not bad for a team who’s bench only goes three or four deep on any given night.
“All our success comes about because there is no quit in us,” Stampede Head Coach Bryan Gates said. “Just when you think you might have us down, we turn it around and bring it hard.”
Bringing it hard is a bit of an understatement for the hottest team in the league. During the team’s last 12 games the Stampede average 106 points per game and shot better than 52 percent from the field.
“It’s hard to lose when you’re putting up those kind of numbers,” Gates said. “We have a group of guys who come out and play for each other and that makes a difference.”
During the month of March the Stampede won six consecutive games until it dropped back-to-back losses last week. One loss came to the Austin Toros and the other to the Anaheim Arsenal. Idaho got back on the winning track Saturday night cruising past Anaheim 118-99 in a game that showcased nine lead changes and seven ties. The Stampede dumped in 75 points in the final two quarters alone, leaning on sharp shooting and defensive pressure in the second half to break its lead wide open. Idaho shot nearly 60 percent from the field and forced 16 turnovers and lead by as many as 26 points.
Luke Jackson led Idaho, scoring 29 points and dishing six assists. Ricky Sanchez went 6-of-9 from beyond the arc finishing with 26 points.
“We come out and we play hard every night,” Ricky Sanchez said. “We have the best record in the league for a reason and we plan to keep it that way.” Meanwhile, the team members have a lot of work ahead of them before they can rest on reputation alone. Idaho (28-13 overall) holds just a two-game lead over the Colorado 14ers (26-15 overall) in the
Western Division.
“We’ve got to stay focused on playing solid defense and being unselfish,” Gates said. “If we fail to do those things we’ve failed to reach our goals and we don’t want that.”
Remarkably, the Stampede are also chasing a piece of history.
Idaho only needs to play .500 basketball over their last 12 games to capture a league record for wins in a regular season with 50 or fewer games scheduled. Thus far the Stampede are just 1-2 but are determined to improve.
“We play to win and that’s it,” Sanchez said. “We know we have a handful of guys who can carry us if we need it and that’s why we can be so dangerous and win so many games.” Although Idaho’s bench doesn’t go very deep the Stampede enjoy balance on the offensive side of the ball. On any given night anyone on Idaho’s roster can take charge and lead the team in scoring.
“Offensive production is something we can get from anyone on this roster,” Gates said. “When guys like Ronnell [Taylor] or Randy [Livingston] get exhausted we have other guys who step in and fill the void.”
Guys like Lance Allred, who has scored a season high 30 points twice during the month of March, or Luke Jackson who dumped in a season high 29 points Saturday, all make a difference. The Stampede also recently acquired center Badou Gaye from the league’s available player pool and waived guard Julius Hodge. Gaye played a breakout game Saturday night for Idaho scoring 16 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
“I’m really pleased Badou got such great minutes tonight and took advantage,” Gates said. “We see him playing an important role on our team.” Idaho also waived center Peter John Ramos late last month due to injury. Ramos was a regular starter for the Stampede for much of the early season.
“We feel like we’ve got the right guys in here to get this thing done,” Gates said. “With so many changes all the time we try to make the best with what we have.”
The Stampede will hit the road March 24-30 with games in Albuquerque and Los Angeles, but return to Quest Arena April 1 for a match-up with Bakersfield.
“All our success comes about because there is no quit in us,” Stampede Head Coach Bryan Gates said. “Just when you think you might have us down, we turn it around and bring it hard.”
Bringing it hard is a bit of an understatement for the hottest team in the league. During the team’s last 12 games the Stampede average 106 points per game and shot better than 52 percent from the field.
“It’s hard to lose when you’re putting up those kind of numbers,” Gates said. “We have a group of guys who come out and play for each other and that makes a difference.”
During the month of March the Stampede won six consecutive games until it dropped back-to-back losses last week. One loss came to the Austin Toros and the other to the Anaheim Arsenal. Idaho got back on the winning track Saturday night cruising past Anaheim 118-99 in a game that showcased nine lead changes and seven ties. The Stampede dumped in 75 points in the final two quarters alone, leaning on sharp shooting and defensive pressure in the second half to break its lead wide open. Idaho shot nearly 60 percent from the field and forced 16 turnovers and lead by as many as 26 points.
Luke Jackson led Idaho, scoring 29 points and dishing six assists. Ricky Sanchez went 6-of-9 from beyond the arc finishing with 26 points.
“We come out and we play hard every night,” Ricky Sanchez said. “We have the best record in the league for a reason and we plan to keep it that way.” Meanwhile, the team members have a lot of work ahead of them before they can rest on reputation alone. Idaho (28-13 overall) holds just a two-game lead over the Colorado 14ers (26-15 overall) in the
Western Division.
“We’ve got to stay focused on playing solid defense and being unselfish,” Gates said. “If we fail to do those things we’ve failed to reach our goals and we don’t want that.”
Remarkably, the Stampede are also chasing a piece of history.
Idaho only needs to play .500 basketball over their last 12 games to capture a league record for wins in a regular season with 50 or fewer games scheduled. Thus far the Stampede are just 1-2 but are determined to improve.
“We play to win and that’s it,” Sanchez said. “We know we have a handful of guys who can carry us if we need it and that’s why we can be so dangerous and win so many games.” Although Idaho’s bench doesn’t go very deep the Stampede enjoy balance on the offensive side of the ball. On any given night anyone on Idaho’s roster can take charge and lead the team in scoring.
“Offensive production is something we can get from anyone on this roster,” Gates said. “When guys like Ronnell [Taylor] or Randy [Livingston] get exhausted we have other guys who step in and fill the void.”
Guys like Lance Allred, who has scored a season high 30 points twice during the month of March, or Luke Jackson who dumped in a season high 29 points Saturday, all make a difference. The Stampede also recently acquired center Badou Gaye from the league’s available player pool and waived guard Julius Hodge. Gaye played a breakout game Saturday night for Idaho scoring 16 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
“I’m really pleased Badou got such great minutes tonight and took advantage,” Gates said. “We see him playing an important role on our team.” Idaho also waived center Peter John Ramos late last month due to injury. Ramos was a regular starter for the Stampede for much of the early season.
“We feel like we’ve got the right guys in here to get this thing done,” Gates said. “With so many changes all the time we try to make the best with what we have.”
The Stampede will hit the road March 24-30 with games in Albuquerque and Los Angeles, but return to Quest Arena April 1 for a match-up with Bakersfield.
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