Uniforms Don’t Quite Suit Wv Team Makes Do With Tight-Fitting Basketball Wear
West Valley’s basketball coaches employed uniform strategy during their season opening basketball win over Lake City of Coeur d’Alene.
That not only applied during the game but in the laundry room as well.
New varsity uniforms, ordered months ago, had yet to arrive for the first game of the season, forcing alternative measures.
The Eagles are one of several teams backlogged because the Midwest manufacturer had to replace much of its workforce when a new industry came to town.
“We used our old uniforms which were tighter than tight,” said Eagles coach Joe Feist.
About as tight as WV’s 86-79 escape. The Eagles led by a point after a quarter and by two points at intermission and after three periods.
Newcomers Josh Sweet, up from junior varsity, and Austin Gerrells, formerly at Valley Christian, had 23 and 20 points, respectively.
Old-timer David Schillinger, a fourth-year varsity player, scored 31 points. Among them were two late three-point baskets and six free throws that helped produce the victory.
Also old were those uniforms, which barely fit some of the players. It was a good thing, said Feist, who kept his sense of humor, that burly post player Ty Gregorak is still out with injury.
“Actually we’re building team unity,” quipped Feist. “A couple guys went without (matching) pants because they were too small. If they had gone in we’d have had to trade.”
With the varsity using last year’s model attire, the C-squad and junior varsity teams shared a set of uniforms. Following the C-squad game, Feist and assistant Jamie Nilles washed the jerseys while the jayvee players warmed up wearing team T-shirts.
They got the still-damp tops just prior to game time.
“We’re waiting for our new uniforms,” said Feist. “They’ll be here any day, I hope.”
Feist was generally pleased with his team’s season opener Friday against Lake City. Defense and rebounding, he said, must improve.
Gerrells was cleared to play after a bone scan for a suspected stress fracture proved negative. He responded offensively.
Sweet, said Feist, did a nice job of hitting open shots and free throws at the end when Lake City was trying to catch up.
“A couple times they (Lake City defenders) were trying to locate David and Josh sprang right open and buried it.”
After hitting 1 of 10 free throws, the Eagles made 13 of their final 14.
“I’m pretty happy with the way we competed,” he said. “For a couple of players it was their first varsity game.”
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