Young Grizz learn ropes in summer play

Though many are probably unaware, hoops action is very much alive during the NBA’s offseason.

Summer league games in Orlando and Las Vegas are set to begin as early as next week, testing rookies and second-year players as well as veteran journeymen looking to sell their services in a new zip code.

Same goes for the local high school scene, which has adopted the same philosophy by introducing new freshmen while keeping sharp the skills of juniors and seniors still months away from the winter season.

And perhaps no other team currently playing at McDermont Field House is in more need of summer league ballin’ than the Granite Hills Grizzlies.

Out of some 15 number-less, nearly uniform-less players on the roster, only three are considered veterans from last year’s varsity squad. Besides a junior here and a sophomore there, the vast majority of the Grizzlies’ entrance into the league are incoming freshman.

“A lot of these guys haven’t even played (organized ball),” Granite coach Bud Luther said. “We’re just starting with the basics. They’re learning so fast and so much and it’s great to see, but we don’t have many guys with experience. Where is our leadership? Our go-to guys?”

The Grizzlies, subbing for both of Porterville High’s teams scheduled to play Thursday, played in just their second and third games all year since the basketball season ended in early February.

In the first game, a dominant Lindsay team (5-1 in league) showed Granite the ropes with a 59-35 clinic on producing fast breaks out of defensive stops.

“I was real pleased with the first half, but we couldn’t defend them as the game went on,” Luther said. “We’re out of shape.”

But the Granite coach liked what he saw from his young guns.

“We’ve been working on fundamentals like the jump stop, shooting form, things like that,” Luther said. “I think they’re getting a taste of what it’s going to be like at the next level.”

The Grizzlies may need their freshmen to pick things up quickly by December because after losing All-Star Curtis Keene as well as star center Nate Cordova and sharpshooter Kameron Pryor to graduation, Luther could have a bleak situation in his hands.

Even with last season’s steadier lineup, Granite mustered just four wins.

Soon-to-be-sophomore Dante Cunningham is still rehabbing a knee surgery from last winter but Luther said he isn’t certain whether the athletic wing is planning to return.

“I hope he’ll be back,” Luther said. “He was one of our best players. (This season) could be rougher than last year’s.”

Varsity-returners Ryan Gibson and Matt Camargo distinguished themselves on the court Thursday as two of the more experienced players, while 6-foot-2 junior Eric Bartlett had his moments in the post and may very well jump to varsity this year.

As for the freshmen, Luther said they have nowhere to go but up.

“The freshmen are very coachable,” Luther said. “They work hard. I tell them, ‘When you’re sophomores, you can take their spots on varsity.’ They can only get better.”