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The Pierre Governors have had their share of ups and downs this season. From losing Conrad Adam to cancer, having the pressures of being the preseason favorite, then losing 4 straight, and now stringing together a nice winning streak. The green Machine is gaining steam at the right time.
With two players already committed to division one schools, Pierre was the clear preseason favorite coming into the 2012-13 season to win the "AA" state title. After starting 2-0 the Governors dropped four straight by a combined ten points.
Senior SDSU recruit Lane Severyn said this about his teams slow start, "At the beginning of the season we had a bunch of young kids coming in that we hadn't played with a lot. Zach and I have been playing together for about five years. The younger kids we hadn't played with them at all. Building that chemistry with us and getting to know each other and our games, developing a chemistry."
Head Coach Terry Becker added, "It's just starting to piece together a bit more. January was good for us, we didn't play a ton of games. We would have a game a week then we would have a lot of time on the practice court, I think that is where we made most of our improvement is getting time together and building the chemistry that you need to go on a stretch run."
And they have went on quite the run. Since that four game skid the Green Machine has used that chemistry to string together an eight game winning streak by an average of of 22 points per contest. With the team gelling on both ends of the court Creighton recruit Zach Hanson feels his team his ready to make a run into the post season.
Zach Hanson had this to say, "We've really got our defense where it needs to be. We've been better at contesting shots, and being in places we need to be on defense. Offensively we've been better at being smooth and getting the shots we want."
As for Zach and Lane, they have become the focal point of the Govs this season. Hanson will head to Creighton next season while Severyn will take his talents to SDSU. Coach Terry Becker is grateful to have two players with their gifts and work ethics.
Coach Becker, "I think they just love playing the game. Their kids that enjoy the sport. There is no place they would rather be than in the gym playing. Those guys have blessed with some athletic gifts and they will be the first ones to tell you that. But they are also very humble because they have worked hard to get the most out of the gifts they have."
The boys from the capitol city have moved their way back into the number two spot in the polls, but they want a rematch with top ranked Roosevelt. Hopefully for a state title.
Coach Becker stated, "You know, I'm sure that is in the back off the kids mind to get another shot at Roosevelt. For the most part we are looking at what we can do in the stretch run of the season right now."
The Govs will travel to Rapid City Stevens on February 5th looking for win number 11 on the year.
