Plains changes recent history by grounding Bluehawks
Matt Unrau
Going into their first conference game against fierce rival conference foe Thompson Falls, Plains needed a boost of confidence. They had struggled in their first week back from Christmas break and they had not beaten Thompson Falls in Plains for the last five years.
However, one quarter of imprenatrable defense was all the Horsemen needed to get their swagger back. Outscoring the Bluehawks 15-3 in the second quarter the Horsemen raced out to a lead and never looked back as they bounced Thompson Falls 56-33 on Thursday night.
“For some reason we were (nervous) just because it was Thompson Falls, but once the game started we realized they were not near the team we are,” says point guard Dillon Fryxell.
The Horsemen’s return to dominance can be credited to stellar defense. With Brian Green, Trent Thompson and Fryxell leading the way the Horsemen are giving up approximately 41 points per game. Against Thompson Falls they outdid their own average holding the Bluehawks to 27 percent shooting, while racking up 20 steals behind the three defensive stars.
“We’re living and dying off our defense and if our defense plays tough, we’re a hard team to beat,” says Coach John Revier. “The defense is working hard and we’re trying to get better everyday. We spend more time on our defense than our offense in practice and I think it shows.”
Stamping the victory at the end of the game was Thompson who sent a last second shot by Will Dalby back in the first row of the bleachers. Thompson finished with a monster game finishing with 20 points and 20 rebounds.
“He definitely owned the paint. Team’s have a hard time dealing with his size,” says Revier.
The win marks the fifth consecutive win against Thompson Falls dating back to last season’s win on the Bluehawks’ home court.
“The kids were ready for it. It’s a big rivalry week and the kids get excited for it. The seniors this year have never beaten Thompson Falls on our floor and it’s a good feather in their hat,” says Revier.
In the second game of the weekend, the Horsemen stepped on the gas in the first quarter racing to a 23-10 lead and never struggled polishing off St. Ignatius 67-21.
For Plains, Green did everything as he flirted with a possible quadruple double with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 9 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. The versatile small forward leads the Horsemen on defense as he usually gets the assignment to guard the opposition’s best offensive player.
“He’s our best defensive player, with his size, his quickness and his wingspan he’s a tough matchup,” says Revier. An 11-0 run by Plains in the first half was highlighted by two consecutive blocks by Green in approximately three seconds of game time.
The dominating performance by Plains on both nights prompted Fryxell to declare that everything is back to normal for the Plains team and everyone should expect big things for the rest of the year.
“We will get the conference title. There’s no doubt about that. Bigfork just caught us on our worst night possible,” says Fryxell. “We’re getting back in our groove and we’re going to stay there.”