Kaminsky Classic Clash: Tigers absorb 23-point loss to William Chrisman, 72-49

Friday, January 4, 2019
Above: Nevada Tiger forward Matt Thompson looks to score from close-range during Thursday’s Kaminsky Classic clash with William Chrisman.
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JOPLIN — In their first game back after Christmas Break things didn’t go as planned for the Nevada Tigers, falling to William Chrisman High School in opening-round action Thursday at the Kaminsky Basketball Classic, 72-49.

A pair of Logan Applegate three-pointers, and one from Dalton Gayman staked the Tigers to a 15-12 cushion at the conclusion of the opening frame.

From there things quickly unraveled for Nevada, with William Chrisman outscoring the Tigers 24-8 in the second, sparked by a 19-0 blitz — as the Tigers trailed 36-23 at the break.

William Chrisman’s momentum carried over into the second half, as the squad from Independence, Missouri built a 59-40 lead through three quarters of play en route to the decisive 23-point victory.

“I was very pleased with the energy that we came out with,” said Nevada head coach Shaun Gray during his postgame radio interview. “I thought we were showing some positive signs of improvement in a lot of areas.”

Added Gray: “I think Chrisman is a team that can really wear on you a little bit. They don’t slow down the transition game, they don’t slow down the pressure.”

Gray indicated that he came away from the contest with some concerns.

“(We had a) lack of energy,” said Gray. “And that could be a fatigue thing, and it could also be a mental toughness thing — that when things don’t start to go your way, it can snowball. We sure allowed that to happen, and we have to get those things corrected.”

Key to William Chrisman’s fortunes was long-range shooting, as they knocked down 10-of-19 from beyond the arc (52 percent).

“We did a good job early of limiting the types of looks they got,” said Gray, adding that William Chrisman eventually began getting “open looks in rhythm.”

“As the game wore on, and as our legs and energy started to dwindle, their looks got better and better,” concluded Gray.

Summed up Gray of his club’s second half performance: “We didn’t just completely roll over, we tried to make a little run there — and that was a positive sign.”

Up next

Nevada High School point guard Logan Applegate soars to the bucket for a two of his game-high 17 points Thursday afternoon.
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The Kaminsky Classic consolation semifinals, as Nevada (4-5) squares off with St. Louis Christian, today at 3 p.m.

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