The senior guard Johnson duo provided the marquee storylines for the initial public scrimmage by the Montana Grizzlies and Montana Lady Griz 2009-10 basketball teams Tuesday. Both squads have been tabbed in most pre-season polls to finish their respective Big Sky Conferences in second place.
PHOTO: Montana senior guard Anthony Johnson drives through the lane for two of his game-high 25 points.
Anthony Johnson scored 25 points on 8-for-15 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line for the Griz, while Shaunte started at point for the Lady Griz maroon squad, notching 19 points on two assists and 2-for-2 shooting at the free throw line.But AJ got stellar support from junior college newcomer, Raason Young, in the wing position. Young scored 18 points with 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the three point line and sent an early signal that he’ll vie for playing time at wing for the Griz.
Johnson, who has been billed as a pre-season All-America candidate, flashed the on-court brilliance Griz fans got accustomed to last season, slicing quickly into the key on his patented slashing drives or pulling up quickly for smooth midrange jumpers.
But Young’s shooting touch and heady man-on defense had scrimmage viewers buzzing. The lanky 6’-5” wing has a high and quick shot release that’s difficult to defend. That shooting touch shows promises to invigorate Montana’s perimeter offense from the wing position this year.
The Grizzlies got balanced scoring from a several players expected to contribute during the year. Senior shooting guard Ryan Staudacher (15), senior wing Jack McGillis (12), sophomore power forward Derek Selvig (15) and junior center Brian Qvale (10) notched double digits for the Griz.
Junior shooting guard Michael Taylor scored eight points and logged a solid floor game while sophomore point guard Shawn Stockton -- who played much of the game at point opposite Johnson -- scored nine points and dished four assists.
Nance-Johnson stepped into her role as the Lady Griz point guard for the season. Nance-Johnson’s 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting led both squads. Senior shooting forward Lauren Beck scored 12 points on three treys, while junior forward Sarah Ena scored 11 points and cleared seven rebounds.
PHOTO: Montana Lady Griz senior guard Shaunte Nance-Johnson drives through the lane for two of her game-high 19 points.
But a group of impressive freshman logged aggressive games, validating pre-season poll-pickers for ranking the very young Lady Griz squad so high. Forward Alyssa Smith (13), forward Katie Baker (11), guard-forward Kenzie De Boer (13), and redshirt guard Ashley Ferda (8) played outstanding floor games in support of upper class players Stephanie Stender, Jessa Linford, Misty Atkinson and Shadra Robison, who they may well push for playing time.It’s dangerous to ever say, “the best ever” when referring to any of Montana coach Robin Selvig’s long string of championship teams. BUT... this group of freshmen has potential to be one of Selvig’s best freshman classes. Time will tell, perhaps soon.
Check back for more photos from Tuesday’s scrimmage and for several pre-season KEYS for the Montana Grizzlies and the Montana Lady Griz.
