-
(ALEX HAVARDANKSY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Nick Wankowicz goes up over a defender for a layup Tuesday, Sept. 30, against Wichita Falls Christian. Wankowicz continues to be critical for the team’s rebounding and ability to create second chance opportunities. -
(ALEX HAVARDANKSY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Jaden Neal attempts a free throw against Wichita Falls Christian in their matchup Tuesday, Sept. 30. The Steers defeated Wichita Falls Christian by a score of 43-25 using physical defense and taking better shot attempts. -
(ALEX HAVARDANKSY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Cooper Wilde takes a free throw for the Steers in their matchups Tuesday, Sept. 30. The Steers completed their second week of fall league basketball against Breckenridge and Wichita Falls Christian.
The Graham Steers kicked off their second week of fall league basketball this past week. The team showed significant improvement in both their record and overall play as the team went 2-0 on the night.
The Steers returned for a weekly slate of games even though things were a bit different this go around. First, the day of fall league took place in the Graham High School classic gym rather than the junior high where the league kicked off.
Also, the date for this week’s slate of games was Tuesday, Sept. 30. This is the only week during fall league play in Graham that games took place on a Tuesday.
Regardless, the team picked up right where they left off and Steers head coach Quinton Fossett, who was in attendance during the night, said he liked overall what he was seeing from the team, especially in their second game.
“It’s just the constant process of getting better,” Fossett said. “Last week we gave up 56 in the second game, tonight we gave up 25 (in the second game) and we were running more matchup zone in the second game and we looked way better in it.”
Before that, Graham’s first game of the night took place against the Breckenridge Buckaroos. Breckenridge jumped out to an early lead but that’s when Jagger Nees came alive for the Steers.
Nees had a nice pickoff play defensively while hitting a three to cut the Buckaroos lead to 9-7. On the team’s next possession, Nees came right back with another three pointer to make it 10-9 Graham.
Nick Wankowicz was once again physical on the glass, grabbing second chance opportunities for Graham’s offense while effectively drawing fouls and hitting free throws to extend the lead.
Jaden Neal also had a nice block defensively in the first half while Obed Trejo helped extend the Steers’ lead with a layup to make it 20-18.
Tyler Allen finished off the half with a floater jump shot, but things were all tied up at 22 going into the second half.
However, Nees once again created separation with a three pointer and a layup to make it 27-22.
Cooper Wilde and Caleb Chandler also got in on the second half scoring barrage to help the Steers out to a good start on the night with a 47-40 victory.
Graham’s second and final game on the night was against Wichita Falls Christian. Graham started hot, jumping out to an 8-3 lead with help from putback jumpers from Wankowicz and Neal.
Wilde and Nees continued to get in on the action as well to help Graham out to an 18-11 lead at halftime.
The team continued to pour it on offensively in the second half while also playing physical zone defense, as Fossett alluded to, in order to pull out a 43-25 victory.
After participating in the Steers hoops Saturday Shootout on Oct. 4, the team picks things back up for their third slate of games 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, back in the junior high old gym.
