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SPORTS PAGE 9 OMAHA BRYAN HIGH SCHOOL THE ORATOR DECEMBER 19, 2014 Bristol brings large slate of experience to program Teachers able to hold off students, win by one point Boys begin rebuilding process Wrestlers looking forward to new year Sabrina Ibarra Opinions Editor Luke Doyle Sports Editor Luke Doyle Sports Editor Morgan Perez-Garcia Reporter Photo by Morgan Perez-Garcia Photo by Morgan Perez-Garcia The teachers barely escaped with a 36-35 victory in the annual students vs. teachers basketball game. The game, which usually results in a teacher-prevail- ing blowout, came down to free throws in the last min- ute. Social studies teacher Michael Eustace got fouled on a drive to the cup and made one of two free throws with 40 seconds left to put the teachers ahead 36-35. The students were unable to answer as senior Hayden Knutson was fouled on a put-back with 20 seconds left and missed both free throws. The students’ strategy of running the clock and playing tight man-to-man defense pestered the teach- ers and caused several turnovers. Senior Lenzel Hayes-Brown was the key to the students’ defensive at- tack as he stole the ball and dove for loose balls on many occasions. Seniors Tyler Sprinkel, Garrett Pedersen and Jacob Stewart also carried out ag- gressive defensive play and rebounding for the students. Despite sloppier play than the teachers are used to, boys basketball coach Terrence O’Donnell, girls basketball coach Reshea Bristol and math teacher Collin Holmquist were able to lead them to a win. The teachers had solid basketball experience as O’Donnell played for Bellevue Uni- versity and Bristol played for Arizona University and in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The students’ offense was led by senior Allen Chavez who scored 17 points and also notched many offensive rebounds. Chavez recorded a solid percentage from the free throw line, as well. It looked like the game was going to get ugly when the teachers went on an eight point run to take a ten point lead, but the stu- dents stormed back with the help of six points scored by senior Fabricio Hernandez. “I felt like we got cheated towards the end of the game when Mrs. Bowden blew a whistle and they just gave the ball to the teachers. But all in all they know that they can’t hold me,” Sprinkel said. The annual game was put on by Latino Leaders as a fundraiser to feed two families in need on Thanks- giving. e girls basketball team stands with head coach Reshea Bristol as her jersey is retired. Bristol played for the Bears from 1992 to 96 and went to the NSAA State Tournament three times. Senior Jacob Stewart is fouled by math teacher Collin Holmquist during the first quarter of the students vs. teachers basketball game. Holmquist was one of the teachers’ leading scorers in the 36-35 victory over the students. Photo by Morgan Perez-Garcia Junior Tyler Nekola swats a Millard South player’s layup attempt inside the lane. e Bears went on to lose to the Patriots 31-56. This winter is going to be a season of rebuilding and hard work for the varsity boys basketball team. The team’s only returning play- ers with varsity experience are juniors Goy Lew and Tyler Nekola. The two ju- niors received most of their experience on JV last season but also saw limited varsity action. They will be called on to lead the young team. Seniors Timothy Eaves, Luke Doyle, Jacob LaNoue, Khair Majouk and Akol Mayen are the only seniors on the roster. Eaves, Doyle, LaNoue and Mayen gained experience on the JV team last season, while Majouk played reserve as a sopho- more. Also, four freshmen are looking to earn varsity play- ing time this year. Fresh- men Trevion Crawford, Telo Kang, Cameron Riley and CJ Smith will all play a major role in the rebuild- ing process. Crawford is the nephew of Bryan alum and WBO world lightweight champion boxer Terence Crawford. Additionally, sophomore twins Ajak Ayul and Chan Ayul add a unique dimen- sion to the Bears’ attack. Each twin is 6’3 and has an opposite dominant hand. Ajak, who is still recover- ing from a knee injury, is left-handed and is a strong player in the post, while Chan is right-handed and is more of an outside shooter. Both players are looking to become solid contributors to the team’s rebounding efforts. This fall, the squad was featured in a music video created by Bryan alum song- writer Kontages. The video was filmed during a day of weight lifting and condition- ing and features highlights of many of the players. Kontages is the son of head engineer JP Palermo. The Bears took on Mil- lard South in the first round of the OPS Jamboree tourna- ment on Dec. 4 and lost 31-56. On Dec. 6, the team’s inexperience showed as turnovers led to a 46-77 loss to Omaha Northwest. The Bears also fell short at North Platte on Dec. 13. North Platte won 44-42 on a buzzer beater after the Bears staged a major second half comeback. Through continued effort, improvement and resilience, the Bears and head coach Terrence O’Donnell are aiming to continue building a solid foundation that will keep the basketball program moving in the right direc- tion. According to head wres- tling coach Kevin Kottich, this year’s wrestling season looks to be a good one. The team has a lot of potential as well as a lot of underclass- men wrestlers. Many of the wrestlers that were a part of the team last year have once again returned to compete this year. The coaches already see a lot of potential within the wrestlers and are excited to get the season going and start competing. What they also see is that the athletes know what kind of train- ing it is going to take to be competitive this year. The coaches and ath- letes are all eager to face off against Bellevue West and Bellevue East this year because of the fun and competition that all three Bellevue schools have. But there is one school that the coaches really want to beat this year and that is Lincoln North Star. “Beating Lincoln North Star this year could be a stepping stone for the team and coaches as well,” Kot- tich said. “Beating them could lead them to bigger and better things.” In addition to intense daily practices and work- outs, many of the athletes demonstrate their committ- ment to the team by training both day and night in their spare time. “Wrestling is a sport about sacrifices,” sophomore Ryan McCann said. This goes to show that the team understands some of the things they will have to do to be able to train and push themselves to their limit. The coaches are highly respected by the team because of the time and dedication that they put not only into the sport but into the team as well. A couple of seniors are returning this year for their final high school season, determined to make it a memorable one. Senior Zach Gates, a returning state qualifier, is looking to build on the success he had last year. Gates is aiming to qualify for state again this year and to advance farther in the tournament. Having experienced senior wrestlers on the team greatly boosts the team’s confidence and morale. Times have been rough for the girls basketball team with the last 16 seasons hav- ing losing records. In fact, the girls have only had 14 wins in the last 10 seasons, but this year a change has been made. Former Women’s Na- tional Basketball Association (WNBA) player and Bryan alumnae Reshea Bristol is the new head coach. With her leadership, many players have seen a change in the way things are being done. “Communication is something we’ve improved in,” senior Karla Olvera said. “Before, no one com- municated, and now that we do, we all understand each other, especially on the court. Plus, our new coach has way more motivation to succeed and pushes us a lot.” Not every high school girls basketball team gets the chance to have a coach with elite college and WNBA level experience. Bristol has a deep understanding and love for the game. She has played every position in the sport and is able to lend advice to each player. “For us at Bryan, we were very excited to bring somebody like Reshea Bris- tol back to Bryan,” athletic director Rob Locken said. “We felt like it was a great fit for her to come back here. She understands what our kids go though and what it takes to be successful.” Bristol was selected by Charlotte Sting as the 50th pick in the 2001 WNBA draft after playing collegiate ball for the University of Arizona. She also played in the European Basketball League. Basketball has been the center of her life since she was in sixth grade. Coming back to the school to coach has given Bristol another thing to look forward to—a challenge. “This program has been broken for many years, and I like to fix things,” Bristol said. The determination of the team is what motivates Bristol. Helping the team become better than they were the day before and pushing them to want and need the game of basketball is one of her goals. “For her it’s very per- sonal. She wants to see this program turned around. She wants to see it back to where it was in the 90s,” Locken said. With practices consist- ing of fundamental break downs, skill work, going over plays, drills and scrim- mages, Bristol is striving to help the girls improve their focus and positive at- titudes both on and off the court. She is excited for the remainder of the season. “It’ll be difficult, but you’ll definitely see us working hard,” Bristol said. Many times it can be hard on a team when they get a new coach, but the girls are adjusting well. “Our new coach is great,” senior Tryoana Thompson said. “Her determination to change is motivational and inspirational. She focuses more on respect and real life situations, and I just know this season will definitely be something to look forward to.” Photo by Morgan Perez-Garcia Senior Zach Gates kicks off his season by pinning teammate senior Ian Hirsh in the annunal green and gold wrestling match.
