Christmas Break

Tonight we travel to Rutland to face conference foe ORR.  Our kids are anxious to get back on the floor and for the opportunity to play "together".  Although our record is currently 1-2 (1-0), we feel that we have played well enough to have won all of them.  As a coach, I have been extremely pleased with our defensive effort and intensity, we just need to finish shots on the offensive end and become more consistent.  There is no doubt in my mind the best basketball lies ahead of these young men and I could not be more proud of what they have and will accomplish.

We have a couple of games over Christmas Break.  The first will be the Entringer Classic at Brookings High School on December 28th.  We will face the Hamlin Chargers at 6:15pm in the Auxillary Gym.  On January 31st, we will travel to the Swiftel Center to face a 7-1 Canby, MN Lancer team that is very talented and will be a great challenge and opportunity for us.

I will continue to post over Christmas Break, so continue to follow Elk Basketball on the blog and check my twitter feed:  @Coacherickson11  for updates and info on the ELKS.

All members of the Elk Basketball team would like to extend our warmest wishes and hope you enjoy your break, family time, and holidays.  Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

#PLAY LOVED

Game #2

Well, last night was a tough game against a talented Castlewood team.  Our guys played with great effort and intensity, but in the end we just couldn't knock down enough shots.  A rough night shooting from the field against a good team is never good!  There are many things we can take from this game and build on for the rest of the season and we will continue to work and get better.  We are back at it tonight against Flandreau in Flandreau.  That is always a tough matchup, so we will again need to bring great effort and execution.  A lot of season left and looking forward to the opportunities to get better and play together.

#PLAYLOVED  
#RUNWITHTHEHERD

1st Game Recap and look ahead

ELK Basketball started the season off on the right foot, posting a 66-31 victory over Colman-Egan, Friday night in Lake Benton.  It was a good start to the season for us, especially since it was a conference game.  I thought our kids played extremely hard all night.  The defensive effort and intensity was solid throughout and the offense really clicked at certain times.  Of course there are things we need to clean up and continue working on, but overall it was a great victory.  We have a very busy week coming up, starting tonight with a home game against a very big, physical, and talented Castlewood team.  It will be a good test for our guys and we are looking forward to the challenge. Tomorrow we travel to Flandreau to take on Coach Bass and his Fliers who opened the season with a victory over Chester.  On Friday we travel to Rutland to take on DVC foe Oldham-Ramona/Rutland.  Come on out and support the Elks!!

Here is a run down of the major statistical categories and the leaders from the Colman-Egan Game.
Points Scored:
Nathan Krog 18
Heath Schindler 15
Trevan Farnham 12
Walker Sik 8
Tyler Stuefen 8

Rebounds:
Heath Schindler 7
Quinn Fargen 7
Tyler Stuefen 6
Nathan Krog 6

Assists:
Heath Schindler 6
Quinn Fargen 5
Nathan Krog 3
Tyler Stuefen 3

Steals:
Heath Schindler 8
Nathan Krog 6

Deflections:
Trevan Farnham 3
Quinn Fargen 3

Floor Burns:
Quinn Fargen 2
Tyler Stuefen 2

Gameday!

Tonight is opening night for the ELKS.  We have had a two good weeks of practice.  The kids are chomping at the bit to get on the floor against someone other than their teammates.  This should be an exciting year and we are looking forward to improving each and every day.  The work ethic this group displays will do wonders for them and allow us to be successful and continue to grow and get better throughout the season.

I had a meeting the other day with Bob Young (former USF football coach) now affiliated with the FCA and TJ Carlson (FCA Leader @ SDSU).  They had some videos and talked about coaching and the three dimensions to coaching.  I again am going to borrow a line from TJ and what he has talked with the Jacks about this year and that is to PLAY LOVED and COACH LOVED.  Not to worry about messing up or missing a shot or calling the wrong play, but rather knowing that there is a higher purpose than the final score.  It is our goal to lay it on the line for each other and do the very best that we are capable of and when the buzzer sounds, know that we have given it everything we had and that "thy will be done".

RISE TO THE OCCASION

PLAY LOVED

Believe in Blue

One Week Away

We are one week away from our first game on the 2013-14 season.  We open with a DVC match-up against Colman-Egan in Lake Benton.  There will be two junior high games with the seventh grade starting at 4:00pm, then 8th grade, JV, and varsity.

The guys have been working hard and I have been pleased with their attitudes and effort they have had each day.  I am super excited to see our guys continue to improve and WANT to get better.

GO ELKS!!!   RUN WITH THE HERD!!!!

Blue/White Game

Our annual Blue vs White scrimmage will be held tomorrow night at 6:30 in the South Gym.  Come on out and get a first look at the 13-14 Elk Basketball Team.  Supper for players and parents will be available at the conclusion of the scrimmage.

Our first game is next Friday in Lake Benton against Colman-Egan.  Come on out and support the Elks as they embark on the new campaign.

RUN WITH THE HERD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1st Practice

Well, the first practice of the season is in the books.  We have 15 kids out in grades 9-12.  5 Seniors, 4 Juniors, 4 Sophomores, and 2 Freshmen.  I was pleased with our work ethic and intensity today.

This season presents a great opportunity for our program.  We are excited about the chance to get better every day and continue to work toward our goals.  This group of student-athletes has great chemistry and their dedication to the game, to each other, and to our program will allow them opportunities to achieve something special.

Our annual Blue vs White scrimmage will be held on Friday night, beginning at 6:30pm.  This is your first chance to come on out and get a view of the 2013-14 Elks.  Parents and Players are invited for Spaghetti Supper to follow the game.  I will have player handbooks ready to pass out that evening.

Apparel orders have been sent in, but if you are still wanting something, please get it to me as soon as possible so I can send it in.