|
The RJ Krause All Stars rolled into the Bluffview Elementary School Gymnasium Thursday night for their annual exhibition games against the Dupo Jr High Basketball teams. RJ Krause stands for Richard Krause, an East St Louis businessman who has run a recreational basketball program for kids in East St Louis for over 25 years. While the games won’t count against the Dupo Jr High teams records, don’t tell that to the players. Dupo 8th Grade Boys Basketball Coach Kraig Roth said, “Well technically they’re not a school but it’s a good game to have early on our schedule.” Both teams came out fired up and determined to win. But in the end it was the offensive power of the RJ Krause All Stars that prevailed as they defeated the 8th Grade Tigers 67-58.
The point total of 67-58 for an 8th grade contest is a good indicator that defense was in short supply for both teams. The All Stars certainly had a height and speed advantage while the smaller Tigers took advantage of the poor defense of the All Stars and found themselves in the bonus and double bonus early in each half as the All Stars fouled early and often. Coach Roth said, “I thought we played fairly well. There were some changes and adjustments I felt we could have made early but with the injury to Willie Kidd it changed things for us.” Substitutions were plentiful on the part of both teams as is the spirit found in exhibition games. The 8th grade Tigers drew close several times in the contest but never had a lead or a tie at any point. Still there was plenty of hustle and reasons to feel good about the direction of this year’s squad.
The Tigers had to do without the services of their tallest and possibly best player Willie Kidd, who rolled his ankle early in the game and sat out the remainder. Coach Roth said, “When Willie went out with the injury it put a lot of pressure on Tyler. He came through with a big game tonight.” With Kidd out of the lineup Tyler Barnes stepped up his game scoring 21 points and was 9 of 15 from the free throw line. Corey Biggs contributed 12 points and was 3 of 6 from the free throw line. Coach Roth said, “Corey Biggs is a bundle of energy. He’s working on his shot and it’s getting better. But he’s so quick and that really helps us out on defense. What he lacks in height, he makes up for in heart.” Another player whose contribution was not as noticeable in the box score was Zach George. Coach Roth said, “Zach really gave us some quality minutes tonight. He played really well.” George played good defense, was a tough rebounder inside against a larger opponent, made a couple of steals and added a few points as well.
The Boys Jr High season gets into full swing next week as the Jr High Tigers host Chester on the 9th at 5:00 p.m. and Brussels on the 14th at 1:00 p.m. All Jr High games are played at Bluffview Elementary except for the Brussels game which will be held in the High School Gymnasium.
|
