Positive energy
Plenty of good vibes at today’s Rainbow Warriors practice in preparation for tomorrow’s game against Hawaii Pacific.
Morale was the highest it’s been since the team went 0-2 on its nonconference road trip and lost two reserves who transferred out.
No coincidence that assistant coach Benjy Taylor was back from a recruiting trip and offering his usual positive feedback, when it’s warranted.
“Good to be back,” said Taylor, who said he was in frigid Connecticut for one of his stops.
After Zane Johnson threw down a double-clutch dunk on one of the Stan Sheriff Center rims, associate coach Walter Roese playfully told him, “You know that rim is low, right? That’s got to be 5 inches too low.”
“Yeah, right,” replied Johnson.
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Meanwhile, senior forward Bill Amis continues to progress toward a return to full action. Amis has been walking around at recent practices and is working on his shot and ball handling, but there’s been no running or contact yet.
The earliest estimate of his return (by the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic on Dec. 22) continues to look a little optimistic, but Western Athletic Conference play (starting on the road Dec. 29) is still reasonable.
Indications of his recovery rate are positive. Remember, this isn’t the first time Amis has dealt with an injured foot, and it’s far less severe this time around.
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Point guard Hiram Thompson might not be 100 percent against the Sea Warriors. He suffered a hurt left thumb in Thursday’s practice and was still favoring it while dribbling and catching passes today.
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Newcomer guard Miah Ostrowski had some bright spots today with his court vision. He’s already shown himself to be one of the quickest guys on the team, though he’s had to sit out the most physical parts of practice while he’s still active for football, too.
Gib Arnold worked him out in a 1-on-1 session after Thursday’s practice.
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The scout team today for the Sea Warriors was Ostrowski, Trevor Wiseman, Dominick Brumfield, Pi‘i Minns and Davis Rozitis.
how far along is brumfield?
How does Coach Arnold “really feel” about going to the Big West?
Portnoy made his feelings known and on paper it does seem like a step down in competition and recognition. Your take BMC?
I have no reason to believe that in two years that we should be able to contend for the automatic bid to the dance.
yeah, how is Brumfield coming along in practice. is he running well? is he a force?
I’m disspointed in the play of Johnson so far this year. I thought he would be a better play for us.
Physically, Brumfield is there. He’s still got a ways to go in practice before Arnold will feel comfortable to throw him out there in a tight game situation, however.
He’s running decently, but “force” is not the word one would use to describe him so far. He has yet to find his comfort zone out there.
BB,
I plan to devote a more thorough entry on the Big West and Gib’s take on it soon, probably early next week. I’ll just say for now that calling it a lateral move is a stretch.