Pam BuzzettaWhen freshman back-up point guard Scott Stone was in high school, he grew very accustomed to being on the floor all the time. At the Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School, he was the star player that all the fans knew.
On the flipside, here at Washington University, on the number one-ranked Bears, things are a little different. The starting position that he held during high school is held by senior Matt Tabash. Stone is the first to admit that Tabash, a four-year starter, deserves every second of playing time that he gets. But, like any competitive athlete, Stone wants to be the one playing.
However, the positive attitude adopted by Stone and his fellow back-ups has proven to be an invaluable asset for the Bears this year en route to an 18-0 record. They recognize their role on the team and respect those above them.
“It’s tough because you’re used to playing,” said Stone. “You want to play as much as possible. But [the starters] having been playing together for a long time, and they’re playing really well. That’s why we’re 18-0.”
Last Friday against Brandeis, Stone had his break-out game, posting 11 points (3-6 from 3-point,) 3 assists and even a block, all in only 16 minutes.
Other back-ups for the Bears capable of putting up big numbers include big men Nick Geurts, Ryan DeBoer, and Anthony Hollins. Add guards Barry Bryant and Rob Keller to the mix, and you have six quality players that would be starting at most other Division III schools.
Bryant and Hollins pose a legitimate scoring threat every time they enter the game, averaging 6.1 and 4.8 points per game, respectively. The Bears can also count on Geurts, DeBoer and Keller to add some size to the line-up and come down with some rebounds.
“We know that if our name is called, we’ll be ready to go out there and contribute,” said DeBoer. “Our starters are amazing players. It’s good to know that Coach can look down the bench and count on anyone to go in and get the job done.”
While it is still uncertain how much injured starter Jarriot Rook will be able to play this weekend, center Geurts and forward DeBoer could see some extra minutes. Rook practiced lightly on Wednesday and will most likely start in Friday’s game at NYU, but it is not certain how his sprained ankle will hold up.
After beginning the second half of their conference schedule at NYU, the Bears will travel to Brandeis. Although they handled both teams the first time around, the Bears know that the UAA schedule is never as easy the second time around.
“Now we play the tough teams we see at home in front of their fans,” said DeBoer. “They know what to expect. When we play them at their place, they have a better feel for us.”
“All games on the road are tough,” said Stone. “They’re more physical and the officiating is in the other team’s favor.”
Nonetheless, the Bears are looking to finish their UAA campaign undefeated. The biggest obstacle that the Bears will face will be their Feb. 23 rematch with Rochester, who they barely beat in overtime. This time Rochester has home court advantage, and as DeBoer puts lightly, their arena is, “not a friendly gym.”
“A couple of games look better on paper than they actually were,” said DeBoer. “We know we have to play just as hard or even harder. Everyone wants to face us again. Having lost to us once, they want to show that they can beat us.”
With all of this season’s starters graduating, Stone knows that his shot at a starting position is almost within grasp. For the time being, he and his fellow substitutes will be content with continuing to make up one of the Bears’ deepest benches in recent memory.