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Tigers steamroll El Dorado on Senior Night, as Gayman eclipses 1,000 point plateau
Leading 17-3 after one quarter of play, and 29-10 at the half, the Nevada Tigers flattened rival El Dorado Springs, 62-33 — on Senior Night Thursday at Wynn Gym.
The only drama centered around whether or not senior forward Dalton Gayman would reach the 1,000 point plateau.
Gayman needed 20 points to reach the milestone, but was unavailable for most of the first half, and headed into the locker-room at halftime with just two points.
Averaging 21 points per game on the season, Gayman poured it on in the second half — and with his 3-point make from the left wing late in the fourth quarter, eclipsed the 1,000 point plateau en route to a 21-point performance.
"It means a lot, knowing my name will be in Wynn Gym (with) my brothers for many years to come," Gayman said, referring to his brother Clay, who concluded as the all-time leading point-scorer in program history (1,984).
Gayman said it was special to have achieved the feat on Senior Night, in front of the Wynn Gym home faithful.
"It meant a lot to me, knowing that people who have been watching me grow as a player and young man, could see such a special occasion," said Gayman, who has inked a national letter-of-intent with NCAA D2 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
"It felt great to go out with a bang," Gayman said of his final game at Wynn Gym. "I love this team, and (we) will be remembered as one of the most dynamic and tough teams in a long time."
Said Nevada head coach Shaun Gray of Gayman's achievement: "Obviously, Dalton is a standout performer on the court, and is a four-year varsity player. He has been a part of four, very good teams, and he has worked tirelessly for four years to become the best player he can be."
Gray continued: "His example of hard work in the gym has been great for our program, and we are very proud of his accomplishments as a Nevada Tiger. He has become one of the best all-around players in the state, and has great things ahead at the collegiate-level."
Gray discussed Gayman's greatest on-court attributes: "He scores at all three levels — and is second on our team in assists, while leading us in rebounds, and blocked shots as well. He does it all, and also wants to see his teammates succeed, along with himself. He has matured tremendously, and has grown as a young man over the past four years."
Gray added that he was pleased with his club's strong performance against El Do.
"We were very proud of our defensive effort," he said. "We were able to limit them all night. We were also glad to see so many guys get in the scoring column, in what was a very balanced effort. Noah Cheaney’s defense, Grant Miller's charges and 3-ball, Matthew Thorp’s rebounding and put-backs — were all key in helping us get the lead, and the victory."
Added Gray: "While Dalton did not force the issue, his teammates knew he was close to getting his 1,000th point, and you could tell they wanted to get that for him. Dalton assisted on several buckets, and did a good job of being aggressive to the basket — drawing several fouls."
After the game, Gayman jokingly said he would have loved to have had the big moment come via a slam dunk.
"When we realized he was close to achieving the milestone, we called a lob-play for Dalton, which he had gotten a dunk on earlier," Gray explained. "This time, the guys flipped the screen, and got Dalton an open three, which he buried right in front of our bench. It was really fun, and we were all really happy for him, and celebrated along with him. That achievement was the culmination of God- given talent, and a whole lot of hard work in the gym."
Gray discussed his squad's senior group, comprised of GaymanCheaney, Thorp, and Miller.
"It’s a group of four-year program guys that we're really going to miss on a variety of levels," said the sixth-year head coach. "Their relationships with their teammates and coaches runs deep. They are guys who mean as much to us in the locker-room, and off the court, as they do on it."
Said Gray: "They have all worked hard in the weight-room to improve their athleticism. They have all been multi-sport athletes here, which we are very proud of. And they have all been committed to improving their skills. Some have focused more on different sports. But every year, when basketball season arrives, they have been high-energy, high work-ethic players who have been fun to watch develop.
"Their maturity as young men has been fun to watch as well. We will miss them all tremendously. As their head coach, I have a genuine love for each one of them. It’s hard to believe that they will be graduating very soon, but we know they are all off to do great things, and will forever be a part of our Nevada Tiger basketball family."
Cheaney entered the starting lineup midway through his junior season last year.
"Noah is a high-energy and athletic guy, who plays his role very well," Gray said. "He works his tail off, knowing he won’t always get much of the credit — and he cares much more about team success than any individual success. On lesser teams he could play a more prominent role, but he doesn’t complain or care about any of that. He just wants what is best for the team. His energy and toughness are huge for us, and a great example to everyone else in our program."
Thorp adds key depth to Nevada's front-court.
"Matt is a tireless rebounder," Gray said. "When he is called upon, he plays his role very well. Even though he is out- matched size-wise most nights, he is seldom out-worked or out-hustled. He is a team-first player, and he brings a side to our locker room that every team needs at times. He is also a very good friend and teammate."
Gray lauded Miller for his tireless work-ethic.
"Grant practices as hard, or harder than anyone on the team," he said. "He consistently wins our wind-sprints, and he leads our team in charges taken in practice. That (type) of sacrifice is a perfect example of who he is — selfless, and a great teammate.
"When called upon, he enters games, and can fill a variety of roles. Drawing charges, grabbing rebounds, and hitting open shots when needed. He is a great friend, and very coachable."
Summed up Gray: "The parents of this group of seniors have been very supportive of their sons, and of our program over the years. We are grateful to the Cheaney, Gayman, Miller and Thorp families for their commitment to their sons — and to our program. We really have a family (atmosphere) in our program, and they have been a big part of that."