BATTLE GROUND – First-year coach Brett Henry has been working hard to deliver a fresh message to his players on the Evergreen boys basketball team.
It helps if he can be heard. And that’s where assistant coach Lester Griffin comes in.
Whenever Henry was barked out instructions to his players during Monday’s non-league game at Battle Ground, Griffin would repeat the instructions, with slightly more volume.
“I don’t have the voice he has,” Henry said.
“I’m just doing whatever I can to help,” Griffin responded.
It’s a perfect example of Henry’s message to the Plainsmen – teamwork.
On Monday, the message was heard loud and clear as Evergreen ganged up to scrape out a 76-73 non-league victory over the Tigers, improving Evergreen to 2-0 on the young season.
“We’ve been talking a lot about ball movement,” Henry said. “Sharing the ball. When we score, we want the whole bench pointing to the guy who made the pass, not the guy who scored. And the kids are buying into it.”
Evergreen had four players score in double figures, led by junior Dwight Jones’ game-high 21-points.
Jones says it starts with defense.
“That’s what Coach keeps telling us – keep working, keep up the intensity,” Jones said.
“We did a great job of making the game our speed,” Henry said. “We’ve got seniors on this team who are willing to try some new things.”
Seniors Brock Schoene (13 points), Jerontae Burns (12) and Jeremy Harju (11) also made key contributions down the stretch.
Harju attacked the rim early in the fourth quarter for a pair of baskets that gave Evergreen a 71-66 lead.
But Brendan Beall hit a jumper and 3-pointer to the tie the game. Vincent McCormick’s steal and basket gave the Tigers a 73-71 lead with 1:17 left.
But Schoene countered with a 3-pointer to put Evergreen back up.
In the final minute, the Plainsmen harassed Battle Ground into forced shots and turnovers, setting up Jones to hit two late free throws to seal the win.
“This team is coming off a tough year, but they are hungry,” Henry said. “They have never quit on me.”
Battle Ground also brought balance. Elijah Parker led the Tigers with 14 points, but they also got 13 from McCormic, 13 from Beall and 11 from Shane Hatch.
But it wasn’t quite enough against the scrappy Plainsmen.
“We’re a little young and not that big, but we work,” Jones said. “I think we’re going to give teams trouble.”
EVERGREEN 76, BATTLE GROUND 73
EVERGREEN – Zyell Griffin 4, Jerontae Burns 12, Michael Cabrera 2, Dwight Jones 21, Jeremy Harju 11, Brock Schoene 13, X’Zayvier Washington 5, Christian Huerta 3, Gabe Anderson 0, Carter Monda 1, Daud Kahn 4. Totals 25 (9) 17-28 76.
BATTLE GROUND – Jaiden Linville 2, Vincent McCormic 13, KeAndre Hunter-Holliday 5, Brendan Beall 13, Colin Barton 9, Kaden Perry 6, Elijah Parker 14, Scott Hatch 11. Totals 30 (10) 3-12 73.
Evergreen 14 23 27 12—76
Battle Ground 18 20 24 11—73
JV – Battle Ground 64-61.
