The Tribe Has Spoken

The Tribe hits the road again for it’s first test(KSU wasn’t as winnable) to face the streaking Holy Cross Crusaders. This is the same team, if you don’t remember, that waxed us in the tip-off classic last season by 12(We were down 21 at the half). Last season they had 3 players score 15 or more on us, and 2 are back.

They are Torey Thomas and Keith Simmons. Simmons is leading the team in scoring with 18.8 points per game. He is a guard, and don’t be shocked if coach Shaver puts Adam Payton on him(I would). Thomas is the point guard, and is averaging 15.5 points per game so far this year. The Tribe guards will definitely have their hands full.

Their 3rd player in double figures(crazy, huh?) is Tim Clifford, a 6-10 senior. He averages 10.8 per game, and as a junior is in the HC top ten in shot-blocking. He didn’t do much against us this year, but looks to be one of the leagues top centers.

Rounding out the lineup is guard Pat Doherty and foward Alex Vander Baan. It seems our 3 guard lineup will work perfectly with them. Vander Baan fouled out against us in only 14 minutes last year, but seems to have that in control this season and is averaging over 7 points per game. Doherty was 0-6 from the field last year, and is only playing about half the games(less than the other starters). His percentages are still bad(7-21 from the field, 2-12 from 3), and his foul numbers seem high. Holy Cross’ website says he should compete with Thomas.

The Tribe’s numbers are spread out due to only 2 games and a blowout(everybody but Barnett has scored), but still have 2 players averaging double figures. Laimis Kisielius has been the best scorer so far, with an average of 17 ppg and good shooting percentages(.684 from the field). He has been able to consistently put the ball in the hoop, and that was something the Tribe badly needed coming into the year. The second is freshman point guard David Schneider, who has been the best player so far. He is averaging 13 points per game, 5.5 boards(most on the team), and a good a/to ratio. He has gone from no place to a rising star.

The guards joining Schneider are Nathan Mann and Adam Payton. Payton is known for his D, but has scored more than expected this year averaging 7 points, and has is also tied for the team rebounding lead with Schneider(both guards). Mann came into the season supposed to be one of the top scorers, but has only gotten 5 points in 2 games and is shooting 2-12 from the field. Nathan is the guy we really need to step up with McFadden gone, and due to depth still have to play him if he doesn’t. Kyle Carrabine and Adam Trumbower are also guards, and Trumbower should get time at point, but don’t expect either to do something spectacular.

The Tribe has a plethora of big men, but none have really stepped up. Only Peter Stein has made an impact on the boards. Corey Cofield is the leading scorer for them at 6.5 points per, but he was supposed to be the best player on the team and has laid a major egg. Danny Sumner blew up last game, scoring 12 in not too much time. Even though he is only a frosh, he needs to crash the boards more. Sophomore Chris Darnell has been solid so far, and freshman Steve Hess has done as much as we can expect. Another player I’m disappointed in is Alex Smith, the most athletic player on the team, who has been nonexistent this season. We need a big man to break through and be a force down low.

This will be a very tough game for the Tribe, facing an HC team that is 4-0(wins against Fairfield, Harvard, Siena, Hampton). I am going to go out on a limb and say HC overlooks the Tribe. The have Syracuse early next week, and I think they may be looking foward to that game. Tribe pulls the upset.

W&M-70
HC-62