Your future, our focus
As evidence that the Trappers are not far from clicking, they shot 52.6 percent from the field against Casper College.
They still lost 93-81 to a Thunderbird team that expects to be one of the strongest in Region IX, and followed that up with a 77-64 defeat to Gillette to begin league play last week.
But Northwest, 9-8, seems close to meshing its new weapons despite a long-term injury to power forward Dan Milota.
Down 10 at the half at home to Casper and trailing by double digits for most of the game, Northwest rallied to within 71-68 with plenty of time remaining. Yet making just 12 out of 29 free-throw attempts doomed a comeback.
“We just couldn’t get over the hump,” said guard Jordan Rood, who had a personal seven-point run at the start of the second half. “If we made a couple more free throws.”
Brothers Garrison and Grantham Gillard each scored 18 points for the Trappers. Grantham’s were flashier since he burned Casper for four 3-pointers that really whittled the lead.
“When we cut it down we had to get a good stop and a second possession,” Grantham said.
He said he felt he had his outside shot stroke working.
“When I hit one I think I can hit the next one,” Grantham said.
Not that Casper made it easy. The Thunderbirds put four players in double figures, including Gerad Davis, who scored 27 points.
“Free throws killed us,” Garrison said.
Coach Brian Erickson eyed the stat sheet and had to agree.
“They made 25 free throws to our 12,” he said. “We need to be a little more mentally tough. We’re a talented team, but we’re not a great team yet. That’s one of the most athletic teams we’ll see all year.”
The other one is probably Gillette, currently 18-0 and ranked nationally. The Trappers battled Gillette to a 31-31 first half, but fell off near the end.
Joel Maumba led NWC with 13 points, and Rood and Levi Londole each contributed 11.
“We did a better job of sticking to our game plan,” Erickson said. “We did a really good job of being patient with our offense. We haven’t put 40 minutes together while sticking to what works for us. We’re making strides.”
Those strides are coming without Milota for now. A minor knee tear needed surgery, though he may be able to return by mid-February.
A steady scorer and rebounder, the 6-foot-7 Milota is a key inside presence for the Trappers.
“We miss Dan on the block,” said Erickson, indicating a return may be possible in four weeks. “I hope so.”