Cougar Scores So Far

Date	Opponent	Result
12/03/10	Soda Springs (Soda Springs, ID) Location: TBA	32-47 (L)
12/04/10	@ Marsh Valley (Arimo, ID)	39-44 (L)
12/10/10	Soda Springs (Soda Springs, ID) Location: TBA	42-57 (L)
12/11/10	Marsh Valley (Arimo, ID)	36-42 (L)
12/14/10	Ririe (Ririe, ID) Location: South Fremont HS	68-59 (W)
12/17/10	West Jefferson (Terreton, ID) Location: TBA	55-52 (W)
12/23/10	Firth (Firth, ID) Location: TBA	27-58 (L)
12/30/10	Snake River (Blackfoot, ID)	47-50 (L)

Standard Journal's Basketball Preview

Matt Eichner

editor@uvsj.com

Cougars to rely on defense to lead the way

It didn’t take long for new South Fremont coach Joe Jessop to know what he has with this year’s edition of the Cougar boys basketball team. He saw that they are speedy and ultracompetitive. And he likes what he sees.

“That competitive spirit will only help them out,” Jessop says.

Jessop, 38, who moved to St. Anthony from Hamilton, Mont., has previous varsity coaching experience at Hamilton, and has taken the past few years off. But he is eager to get back into coaching circles.

He has a defensive-minded philosophy, which could be just right when it comes to the Cougars. While the Cougars may not overwhelm with their size, they’ve got the speed and toughness to make life miserable for their opponents.

“Every coach is going to tell you the same thing: Defense is where it’s at — defense wins basketball games,” Jessop said. “We start there and build off of our defense.”

The defensive effort is led by senior Braxton Crapo, and juniors Spencer Goulding, Joseph Carlson and Rayce Speth.

“Rayce Speth, he’s our speedster,” Jessop said. “His specialty is defense, he loves to really play defense. I would imagine he’s got to be one of the better on-ball defenders (in the conference).

“You’re glad he’s on your team and not on the other team. Braxton Crapo’s like that too.”

Goulding, who Jessop calls a post in a guard’s body, is also one who isn’t afraid to mix it up down low.

The 6-foot-3 Carlson is the anchor in the middle. Not only is he athletic and big, but he’s skilled facing the basket and has a series of post moves he can go to and has good vision down low.

“He’s a really good passer for a post player,” Jessop said. “He brings a physical presence.”

The defensive, fighting mindset is all throughout the team.

“They’re speedy athletic guys,” Jessop said of Carlson and Speth, though it could be applied to almost everyone on the team. “They aren’t afraid to scrap it up and dive on the floor for a loose ball.”

On offense, senior Cole Bauer will take on a lot of the scoring duty.

“Cole’s a nice outside shooter,” Jessop said. “(I’m) looking for him to have a nice senior year. He plays hard and he’s a very skilled basketball player.”

With Shelley leaving the conference, South Fremont is looking to get one of the two spots for the postseason from the conference, and should be competitive for one.

“I would hope so,” Jessop said. “And as a first year coach, it’s hard to take over a program and install a different philosophy. I think coach (Rick) Berrett’s done a great job getting the kids to this point.”

Jessop said that if the program goes on to great things this year, it’s because of the work put in last year, too. And with all of the quality time the now-juniors had last year as sophomores, it looks as though the Cougars will be right in the mix for a conference title.

“We’re looking to be competitive,” Jessop said.