BOYS' BASKETBALL: CANYON PULLS UP LAME : INJURIES SLOW TEAM BUT TOP SCORER GRUCELSKI CLOSE TO RETURNING.Byline: Jim Inghram Staff Writer Every team has to deal with injuries at some point during the basketball season, but when a rash of them occur it's tough to develop any continuity - especially for a young team. This is what the Canyon High boys' team has had to endure. The team is off to an 0-2 start but is not yet at full strength. Missing is the Cowboys' top all-around scorer Jeff Grucelski, who suffered a severely sprained ankle A sprained ankle, also known as a ankle sprain, ankle injury or ankle ligament injury, is a common medical condition where one or more of the ligaments of the ankle is torn or partially torn. in practice two days after returning from a knee injury. Brian Standish, who has a broken foot, also is out. Grucelski is close to returning, however, and will give the team a boost on offense and defense. ``He's the total package,'' said coach David Humphreys David Humphreys may be:
n. See foul line. a lot.'' Grucelski, a 6-foot junior, also is one of team's top defenders. ``We will be a totally different team when he gets back,'' Humphreys said. Even without the injuries, Canyon might have faced growing pains grow·ing pains pl.n. Pains in the limbs and joints of children or adolescents, frequently occurring at night and often attributed to rapid growth but arising from various unrelated causes. in the early part of the season, since the team lost four starters to graduation. The only one back is junior point guard Jake Cox. ``He did well as a sophomore,'' Humphreys said. ``He played timid timid, adj in Chinese medicine, pertaining to inadequate energy needed to face and overcome obstacles. at first but progressed as he played more and figured he could do it at this level. He's now very mature and experienced and a solid player.'' Last season's sixth man, John Divon, a 6-3 senior guard, has moved into the starting lineup For the line of action figures, see . A starting lineup in sports refers to the set of players actively participating in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes and has given the team steady minutes in the front court. The play of newcomers Brian Waite and Thomas Kemp n. 1. Coarse, rough hair in wool or fur, injuring its quality. has been a pleasant surprise. The junior forwards, both about 6-foot-4, give the Cowboys cowboys, in American history. 1 Tory marauders, adherents to the British cause in the American Revolution, who fought in the contested area of Westchester co., N.Y. an inside presence in their guard-dominated lineup A criminal investigation technique in which the police arrange a number of individuals in a row before a witness to a crime and ask the witness to identify which, if any, of the individuals committed the crime. . ``Both are shooting over 56 percent and our the leading scorers,'' Humphreys said. ``They are rebounding well and playing good defense and have been a nice surprise.'' Another player to watch is 6-foot-1 junior guard Matt Nelsen, one of the team's top outside shooters. His marksmanship Marksmanship Buffalo Bill (1846–1917) famed sharpshooter in Wild West show. [Am. Hist.: Flexner, 67] Crotus son of Pan, companion to Muses; skilled in archery. [Gk. Myth. will prevent opponents from sitting in a zone defense against the Cowboys. ``We're gradually improving,'' Humphreys said, ``and these guys are easy to coach. When league starts, we should be playing some of our best basketball.'' Canyon finished third last year and it's not out of the realm of possibility they could finish there or higher this season. ``I would say Valencia is still the favorite,'' Humphreys said. ``They won it last year and until someone dethrones them, they are the champions. I expect Saugus to be very good, too. ``Actually, this is going to be a very, very close race. You have to win at home to have any chance.'' AT A GLANCE Team: Canyon High boys' basketball Coach: David Humphreys 1998-99 record: 12-14, 5-5, third in Foothill League Top returnees: John Divon, Sr., 6-3, G; Jake Cox, Jr., 5-9, G. Top newcomers: Matt Nelsen, Jr., 6-1, G; Jeff Grucelski, Jr., 6-0, G; Brian Waite, Jr., 6-4, F; Thomas Kemp, Sr., 6-3, F CAPTION(S): Photo, box PHOTO Junior guard Matt Nelsen, 6-foot-1, is one of Canyon High's most dangerous outside threats. Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer Box: At a Glance (see text) |
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