Michael Pineda
If Duncan’s scrimmage against Edmond North and Anadarko could be considered a measuring stick, the Demon basketball team is on course to turn a few heads this season.
The Demons got their feet wet for the first time since the football players joined the program and came away encouraged with a strong showing against the No. 8-ranked teams in Class 6A and Class 4A.
The Duncan varsity only dropped one of its quarters in a scrimmage that lasted over two hours. The junior varsity was just as strong, picking up wins in each quarter.
As could be expected, conditioning was a factor at times for Duncan, which has several players rounding into shape after an extended football campaign. Duncan coach Mykel Davison was pleased with what he saw in effort nevertheless
“We want to play like a pack of Demons and I thought we did,” Davison said. “Everyone wants to see the benefit of playing hard, there is no rest for the weary.
“Conditioning was a factor, we are not in as good a shape as we want to be in.”
A lack of conditioning was evident in several areas of the game, predominately free throw shooting. There were also struggles in the transition game and in the motion offense, which slowed down at times.
“We are not moving around on offense as well as I would like, it’s a different system,” Davison said. “We got stagnant at times. The free throw problems were more because they were tired than anything else but I’m not complaining. I thought we played really hard.”
One encouraging sign for Davison was the offense’s ability to attack the basket. Several of last season’s underclassmen played with more confidence which will be crucial on a team with only one senior.
The varsity underclassmen were not the only ones to excel as the junior varsity also had a strong outing.
“They did not lose a game,” Davison said. “I tell them that when they hit the court, it’s for real. They need to approach it like they are playing for a state championship.”
The Demons will be back in action Tuesday when they take part in the Red & White Scrimmage at the Duncan High School Gymnasium. The scrimmage is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Notes: Senior Tyler Gay is out for the season with a foot injury which will require surgery
