Nic Wins With Ease As Points Flow Freely

North Idaho College opened its men’s basketball season Sunday night, when offense was mandatory, but defense optional - particularly for the Frankston Blues.

Johnny Goodman poured in 33 points and point guard Rashaad Hines had a dazzling debut as the Cardinals overwhelmed their Australian visitors, 118-79, in an exhibition contest in Christianson Gym.

“I couldn’t really tell how good they were because we were so bad defensively,” Blues coach Bill Runchey said. “I’m sure the other coach is disappointed. He probably didn’t get a good feel for how good his team is either.”

Goodman, a sophomore wing, scored off the dribble and he bombed in six 3-pointers. After he made three 3s in a 3-minute span in the second half, one eyewitness on NIC’s bench asked the obvious question: “When are they going to start guarding him?”

The Blues, who will play Idaho, Gonzaga and other regional Division I schools on their tour, didn’t defend Goodman until he went to the bench late in the second half.

Same goes for Hines. He swiped one of Frankston’s first passes, drove the length of the floor and scored on a layup. Three minutes later, he flew down the lane and fed Casey Fisher for a layup.

Hines finished with 21 points and was credited with six assists. The stocky left-hander transferred from Chipola Junior College (Marianna, Fla.), and was recruited by numerous Division I powers, including Georgia, Clemson and South Carolina.

“He can play,” said NIC coach Hugh Watson, whose team doesn’t play until a Nov. 16 exhibition game.

NIC’s defense, Watson’s primary concern entering the season, improved in the second half. The Cards were repeatedly beat off the dribble in the first half and their interior defense was shaky at times.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do defensively,” Watson said, “but we’ll get it because this bunch will work.”

The Cards have the quickness, particularly with fleet guard Jerry Petty, to play sticky man-to-man. Petty piled up 20 points and had a handful of steals.

NIC often relied on one-on-one moves, but that’s not a bad option when the ball is in the hands of Goodman or Hines.

Hines’ layup gave NIC a 34-17 midway through the first half. The Blues closed within 62-53 in the second half, but freshman forward Reggie Battee struck for five quick points and the rout was on.

Hines spoon-fed a layup to Nick Booms with a nifty pass as NIC hit the century mark, 100-70, with 6 minutes left.

The Blues, who will likely make some roster adjustments for the rest of their tour, were led by Rod Gadsen’s 22 points. Gadsen was one of two Americans on the Blues’ roster.

North Idaho 118, Frankston 79

North Idaho - Zimmerman 2, Hines 21, Goodman 33, Franklin 3, Battee 9, Hansen 3, Petty 20, Booms 11, Fisher 12, Keep 4.

Frankston - Wilcox 10, Gadsen 22, Jolly 3, Mitchell 19, Willmott 2, Dennis 2, Blackley 9, McKinnon 12. Half - NIC 56, Frankston 44.