Steers win big over Millsap in final 2023 game

Ending on a positive note is typically something most athletes like to do, but especially basketball players. They like to end practice on a made basket, a made free throw or a strong play.

The Graham Steers ended 2023 on a very positive note when they took down the Millsap Bulldogs 66-38 at home Saturday, Dec. 30. The win was the team’s 12th of the season and provided momentum moving into the new year.

Defense led the way for the Steers in this particular match-up, as Graham only allowed 38 points to the visiting Bulldogs and had only allowed 12 points in the first half alone. That’s been a point of emphasis for the team the entire year and one head coach Kris Hise was happy to see work out.

“Anytime we hold somebody, I don’t care who it is, below 50 (points) that’s kind of our goal is 45 to 50 points,” Hise said. “We think we can win a game if we can hold them to 45 to 50 and we’re doing a pretty good job in that.”

As he has done so many times this season, senior Keion Shead got the scoring started for the Steers after getting fouled near the rim and knocking down two free throws. As the second tallest player on the team, Shead spent a lot of time near the rim and used his height to score in the paint.

Senior Samuel Rodgers, sporting a new number on his jersey in this game of 35, hit the team’s first 3-pointer from the wing off a corner pass from Tyson Weaver. On Graham’s next possession, Weaver set up in the corner again, this time received the pass from freshman Bryce Martin and knocked down a 3-pointer of his own.

For good measure, senior Kolby Spurlin got in on the 3-point action before the end of the first quarter and drained a shot from the corner off another assist from Martin. The Steers opened up a 17-6 lead by the end of the opening frame.

“Offensively, we're so big right now that we're finding the mismatches, taking advantage of mismatches and being able to score, hit and-ones and hit wide open threes,” Hise said. “We’re working inside out and that's kind of where we need to be right now.”

The second quarter followed a similar script as the first. The Steers played lockdown defense, only allowing six points to the visiting Bulldogs while continuing to score inside and out. Graham rebounded at a high level and earned a lot of second opportunities with offensive rebounds.

Ty Thompson and Brodie Martin both scored on offensive rebound putbacks and at the end of the quarter, Shead became the fourth Steer in the game to hit a 3-pointer. Graham led Millsap at halftime 29-12.

Both teams talked through their strategies at halftime, and while the visitors came out more aggressive on offense in the second half, they still struggled to stop Graham’s offense.

Rodgers got things going for his team with his second 3-pointer of the game, a corner shot off an assist from Shead. Rodgers finished the game with 12 points, good for second on the team only behind Shead, who finished with 16 points.

The Steers continued to rack up steals, pull down rebounds and turn all that into offense. Coaches will often say that a strong defense leads to a strong offense and that was evident in Graham’s performance in this victory.

Rebounding was key in this one, both on the offensive and defensive glass. Junior Ty Thompson and Rodgers each pulled down six rebounds to lead the team, followed by Spurlin and junior Cash Bowen who each recorded five rebounds.

Most of Graham’s reserve players saw game action near the end and they continued to work through their offense and defense until the final buzzer sounded. Bryce Martin scored four of his 6 points in the remaining minutes and the Steers ran away with the victory.

“I think we’re playing good basketball right now, we’re playing the right way right now,” Hise said. “That makes the game fun for me to coach and really for them to play.”