Bearcats looking for more from supporting cast
Lontravious Dimmer (3) is leading the Bearcats at 25.5 points per game through two games but the Bearcats need their supporting cast to improve to get back on track. Photo by Josh McDaniel
This is unfamiliar territory for the Ruston boys basketball team.
It’s early, yes, but through two games, the Bearcats are off to an 0-2 start – the program’s first such start since the 2019-20 season – and head coach Ryan Bond sees it as an issue of poor defense and lack of ancillary pieces on offense.
After making the state tournament for the first time since 1988, it’s a shock to the system for Bond and his staff. Without question, some of that is due to the Bearcats’ starting lineup still going strong on the football field, but it’s not the whole problem.
Bond said before the season he trusted the lineup he had and wouldn’t make excuses while his main starters are gone, tasking Lontravious Dimmer and Kaleb Dobbins with leading a unit that collectively has played little varsity action.
But that overall inexperience has shown through two games, as the Bearcats have shot 31% (27-of-87) from the field and dropped games to Minden and Airline. Dimmer has averaged 25.5 points per game through two games to try to carry the load, but it’s been inconsistency in scoring so far between KeShun Malcom ( 10 points per game), Zatterion Sutton (6.5), and Dobbins (4).
“Guys just have to step up,” Bond said. “Lonnie is doing a good job, and he’s taking weight on and trying to lead us. On occasion there’s some bad shots in there, but that’s what he’s got to do. We need to get some scoring from other guys and confidence. They can’t be looking over their shoulder wondering if they’re going to be subbed out. But I’m really more concerned on the defensive end and our defensive intensity. It’s not what we’re used to seeing.”
The Bearcats have been outscored 52- 24 in the paint through two games and 19-6 in second- chance points — two realities Bond didn’t anticipate from his group, even without Zheric Hill, Zhy Scott or Ahmad Hudson for the time being.
“They don’t necessarily need to give us 15 points a game or anything like that, but they need to help in rebounding, help-side defense, boxing out,” Bond said. “If you win the paint, you win the ballgame. And defensive intensity is something we go over before every single game and it’s not translating right now. If we clean it up just a little bit, we beat Minden and Airline.
“And I view it like this, they’re getting a golden opportunity right now. We know what we’ll get in the football players,” he said. “They proved that last year. But these new guys are being given a new role and playing time to go out there and play extended minutes and they’ve got to produce because every game is important. We’re way down in the power rankings. I think we’re one of the top four teams in the state when we have our whole team. We’re not a lower half of the bracket team and we need to go out and play like it’s a playoff game every single night.”
Ruston will travel to Bossier (4-2) tonight at 7:30 p.m. before participating in the Quitman Tournament Thursday and Friday at the Ruston Sports Complex against Quitman and Cedar Creek.
The Bearcats are scheduled to play Quitman at 7:45 p.m. Thursday and Cedar Creek at 7:45 p.m. Friday.
