Off the chain : FHS Bulldogs hunt for fourth-straight win at Bentonville
Posted on Friday, February 8, 2008
Fayetteville's long bench affords coach Barry Gebhart the option of sitting those who don't meet his standard of execution and effort, but Gebhart said he doesn't want the team's depth to paralyze players with fear.
"Being careless with the ball and not playing hard are two things that are probably going to get somebody out of a game," Gebhart said. "I think our guys tend to know that.
"I don't want guys afraid to make mistakes because guys who are afraid to make mistakes don't make plays. There are some sins in basketball that are not as forgiving. Not playing hard and being careless or reckless with the ball are things we're going to try to not reward people for."
The Bulldogs' bench has contrib- uted to a three-game winning streak they hope to sustain tonight at Bentonville (9-13, 0-9 ), the only winless team in 7 A-West Conference play. Despite their record, the Tigers have Fayetteville's full attention, Gebhart said. The Bulldogs (15-6, 8-2 ) needed a strong fourth quarter to subdue Bentonville 48-38 earlier this year.
"What I remember about playing them is being down 29-22 in the middle of the third quarter at our place," Gebhart said. "No other point needs to be made. I know people get tired of hearing this, but anybody can beat any other team on any given night. They've been in a lot of close games. They very easily could have a. 500 record.
"They're going to bust through and win against somebody. We're just going to have to go out and play hard and try to control the things that we can control and see what happens."
The second swing through the conference has seen opponents dedicate more attention to 6-7 junior Cable Hogue, holding him to single-digit points the last two games. However, improved outside shooting has exploited teams that sag in on Hogue, Fayetteville's leading rebounder (8. 3 rpg ) and second-leading scorer (12. 4 ppg ).
"I think as we went through the league the first time around he really played well," Gebhart said. "I think one of the things teams have decided to do is limit his touches and keep him off the glass, which is not surprising. If we continue to shoot the ball well it will make it more difficult for teams to sink in on Cable."
Senior Jeff Wittke has spurred the team's improved perimeter shooting. After going 2-of-21 from 3-point range during the Bulldogs' first eight conference games, Wittke's returning to the form that made him the school's single-season recordholder for 3-point shooting percentage (57 percent ).
He's had four 3-point hits in the last two games, boosting his percentage to 34. 1 percent (29 of 85 ) on the year.
"Jeff is capable of having a game where he makes three or four or five threes and stringing a couple of those back-to-back," Gebhart said. "We're going to need him down the stretch, just his overall experience and his experience in shooting the ball in big games."
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