MU vs. Stockton story for Monday Press
By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
WEST LONG BRANCH - Big John Bunch of the Monmouth University men's
basketball team spun, deposited a shot from in
close, and appeared satisfied as he rumbled back down the court.
Perhaps one reason for the good feeling, aside from the score
in the Hawks' 75-42 exhibition
victory Sunday over Division III Richard Stockton College, was that
the Monmouth University senior was feeling no pain in his surgerically repaired
knees.
""The body has been feeling good the past couple of weeks,'' said Bunch.
""In the
early season part of the season I was sluggish and couldn't get up and down
(the floor).''
Granted, Stockton had no player taller than 6-5 with which to combat the
Monmouth center who had 11 points, blocked seven shots, and grabbed five
rebounds.
But mainly it was Bunch's health which he seemed to feel was standing tall.
""It's just enabled me to be more mobile around the rim,'' said Bunch.
""Every time I would try to make a move (earlier in the season)
I would feel a sharp pain
in my knee.
"One week I took a week off, didn't practice and I didn't play,''said
Bunch. ""I think I needed that.''
"'I thought John looked good,''said Dave Calloway, Monmouth coach. ""Even
the last week or so it looks like he's moving a little bit better.''
Bunch's most effective outing this season was a 12-point, six rebound
night Nov. 30 at Rider, but overall he has not been as effective as last season when he averaged eight points, five rebounds, and 2.96 blocks per game.
""I thought
he made good decisions (Sunday) in there (the low post), looked better, looked more
comfortable,'' said Calloway.
There was also a Shawn Barlow sighting Sunday as the seldom used 6-11 redshirt center, with
one career basket, slammed home a loose ball, sank a layup, and grabbed two
rebounds over the final 7:38.
""Any time I can get in and contribute I feel like I improve,'' aid
Barlow. ""Any time I can do that it's a plus for me.''
""He's in a little bit of a rough spot because there's four seniors
in the
front court and there' only so many minutes in the front court right now,''
Calloway said.
""My goals for this year are just to get better, as a player in practice or
any time I get in a game,'' said Barlow. ""Just to keep getting better and eventually make
solid contributions to the team.''
Stockton coach Gerry Matthews did not appear surprised
with the
afternoon's result.
""It (the game) shaped the way it should have,'' said Matthews. ""Who
expected them to shoot nine-for-12 from 3 in the first half? That certainly
didn't help anything.
"'We obviously struggled inside with the ball. Bunch had quite a few
blocks in the second half. That's things we don't see on a regular basis.''
Dejan Delic shot 5-for-8 from 3 to lead Monmouth with 19 points. Whitney
Coleman added 16 points and Alex Nunner 11.
Neptune High School graduate Kevin Brown and Lacey graduate Jordan
Krzeczkowski were among three players for Stockton to score eight points.
NOTES...Calloway said senior forward Marques Alston and freshman guard
Jhamar Youngblood both saw limited action Sunday because they were not
feeling well...Calloway said forward Rickie Crews' suspension for
"violation of team code of conduct,'' will end Wednesday when
the team is next scheduled to practice. Calloway also said freshman Yaniv Simpson, plagued all season by
knee and shin problems, has been cleared to resume practice Wednesday...
The Hawks return to regular season competition 7 p.m. Dec. 29 at
Boylan Gym vs. Lehigh (5-8, 3-8 vs. D1 opposition) which plays Friday at Rutgers.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com
STAFF WRITER
WEST LONG BRANCH - Big John Bunch of the Monmouth University men's
basketball team spun, deposited a shot from in
close, and appeared satisfied as he rumbled back down the court.
Perhaps one reason for the good feeling, aside from the score
in the Hawks' 75-42 exhibition
victory Sunday over Division III Richard Stockton College, was that
the Monmouth University senior was feeling no pain in his surgerically repaired
knees.
""The body has been feeling good the past couple of weeks,'' said Bunch.
""In the
early season part of the season I was sluggish and couldn't get up and down
(the floor).''
Granted, Stockton had no player taller than 6-5 with which to combat the
Monmouth center who had 11 points, blocked seven shots, and grabbed five
rebounds.
But mainly it was Bunch's health which he seemed to feel was standing tall.
""It's just enabled me to be more mobile around the rim,'' said Bunch.
""Every time I would try to make a move (earlier in the season)
I would feel a sharp pain
in my knee.
"One week I took a week off, didn't practice and I didn't play,''said
Bunch. ""I think I needed that.''
"'I thought John looked good,''said Dave Calloway, Monmouth coach. ""Even
the last week or so it looks like he's moving a little bit better.''
Bunch's most effective outing this season was a 12-point, six rebound
night Nov. 30 at Rider, but overall he has not been as effective as last season when he averaged eight points, five rebounds, and 2.96 blocks per game.
""I thought
he made good decisions (Sunday) in there (the low post), looked better, looked more
comfortable,'' said Calloway.
There was also a Shawn Barlow sighting Sunday as the seldom used 6-11 redshirt center, with
one career basket, slammed home a loose ball, sank a layup, and grabbed two
rebounds over the final 7:38.
""Any time I can get in and contribute I feel like I improve,'' aid
Barlow. ""Any time I can do that it's a plus for me.''
""He's in a little bit of a rough spot because there's four seniors
in the
front court and there' only so many minutes in the front court right now,''
Calloway said.
""My goals for this year are just to get better, as a player in practice or
any time I get in a game,'' said Barlow. ""Just to keep getting better and eventually make
solid contributions to the team.''
Stockton coach Gerry Matthews did not appear surprised
with the
afternoon's result.
""It (the game) shaped the way it should have,'' said Matthews. ""Who
expected them to shoot nine-for-12 from 3 in the first half? That certainly
didn't help anything.
"'We obviously struggled inside with the ball. Bunch had quite a few
blocks in the second half. That's things we don't see on a regular basis.''
Dejan Delic shot 5-for-8 from 3 to lead Monmouth with 19 points. Whitney
Coleman added 16 points and Alex Nunner 11.
Neptune High School graduate Kevin Brown and Lacey graduate Jordan
Krzeczkowski were among three players for Stockton to score eight points.
NOTES...Calloway said senior forward Marques Alston and freshman guard
Jhamar Youngblood both saw limited action Sunday because they were not
feeling well...Calloway said forward Rickie Crews' suspension for
"violation of team code of conduct,'' will end Wednesday when
the team is next scheduled to practice. Calloway also said freshman Yaniv Simpson, plagued all season by
knee and shin problems, has been cleared to resume practice Wednesday...
The Hawks return to regular season competition 7 p.m. Dec. 29 at
Boylan Gym vs. Lehigh (5-8, 3-8 vs. D1 opposition) which plays Friday at Rutgers.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com
posted by Tony Graham at 8:40 PM
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