Who's Bret Vandergard and what's he done for us lately? [DDSCB3]

[PointGuard 70]

On Bret's Voice Mail

 

Hi, Bret! I think I may be moving to Washington St. soon! I know you are busy, but I plan to be in Washington around the holidays. Jimmy and I hope that you will make time for us. Luv ya! Sissy

 

[Copied from post by CoachC in Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Nov 30: 8 am Swede's office

 

New EWU head of security Bernie Miller: Mr. Olafsen, last night one of my men spotted someone attempting to break into your office. They were spotted in time, but my men failed to apprehend the culprit. I assure you, sir, that this will NOT happen again!

[PointGuard 70]

Dec 1st: Spokane Review

 

New Lead in Springfield Murder Case:

Spokane county Sheriff's office today revealed that new DNA evidence has lead to a new suspect in last fall's slaying of Bud Springfield, Jr. Former stand-out high school basketball coach, Tony Carpelli was charged last spring in connection to the murder, and was eventually sentenced on a guilty plea as an a accessory to the murder. An informant in the Sheriff's office, speaking anonymously, told the Review that the Sheriff's office has long considered the murder to have been a collaborative effort, and only in recent days has evidence been found that might reveal the individual with whom Tony Carpelli may have been accomplicicating with.

 

[Copied from post by CoachC in Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

From CoachC's "Dictionary for College Basketball Dynasties":

accomplicicating: from the Latin comlici- (partner) and the Latin complicatus (fold together). Or in other words: A 16-letter word for Tony Carpelli's dastardly henchman in wrongdoing thus making the murder more complex, intricate, involved and difficult for the sheriff's department to disentangle and decipher within the confines of a simple narrative dynasty thread.

[PointGuard 70]

Torbern “Swede” Olaffson, Athletic Director

 

(Phone call with Bret Vandergard)

SO: Hey Bret, I’m sorry for scheduling Georgetown on their home court. But they did provide us a nice guarantee that will help our coffers.

BV: We took a beating alright. But I think it’s to our advantage for the guys to know what they could be up against if we are fortunate enough to get to the NCAA Tourny. We’re using it as a learning tool and the guys aren’t down.

SO: Actually that’s not the reason I called you, Bret. I just wanted to follow-up to find out if you’d installed a security system at your home yet like I’d told you to do.

BV: (Laughing) Yes dad, I’ve done it. In fact I’ve got one of the more advanced home systems that incorporates so many things that I’m sure I’ll be tripping it off myself repeatedly.

SO: Good! I’ve increased the security system here in the Athletic Department as well. And yes, the staff is complaining about it already. But I don’t want anyone else sneaking in here…or at your house either.

BV: Yeah, I agree it’s needed. And with my sister Annika and her husband Jimmy coming to stay at my house soon, I’m happy to have some extra security. Their little rugrat, Tommy, might be a challenge for the security system though. He’s a ball of fire.

SO: Oh yeah, Annika’s the one who worked for that blowhard Jim Rome and filed the sexual harassment case against him, right?

BV: Yes, the one and same. Sounds like she and her husband might be moving to Washington State, so I guess they want to do some looking around and research on the area during the holidays. Annika’s a great gal. Jimmy is a rather strange duck, but she loves him so it’s not my place to judge. I’m really not sure what’s up. Annika has a good teaching position in Maryland suburbs to Washington, DC. But Jimmy always has these ideas about the grass being greener, if you know what I mean. The guy’s never really succeeded in anything he’s done. Oh well, Annika has a good enough rep that she should be able to land on her feet no matter where she is. I’m just hoping Rome didn’t hassle her while he was in DC last spring or on his succeeding visits there to find a “great vacation home”. I hear he had his sights set on a nice big white home on Pennsylvania Avenue and was crushed when the government wouldn’t sell to him.

SO: I look forward to meeting her. Now, you remember to SET the security system each time you leave the house. It doesn't do a damn bit of good otherwise.

[PointGuard 70]

Bud Springfield, Eagles’ Wings Fan Club President & owns Springfield Ford dealership

 

Game #6, Dec. 2, 2015: Old Dominion Monarchs (2-2) at Eastern Washington Eagles (3-2)

Even though I was uninvolved with the Eagles’ Wings Fan Club last year after the murder of my son, the club re-elected me as president. I have decided, even though my son’s death remains foremost in my mind, to try to get back into EWU sports and again lead the Eagles’ Wings. 

Our club is hoping the Eagles put together a great season culminating in a trip to the NCAA Tournament, but thus far they remain somewhat of a mystery. We have a good turnout of the club for tonight’s game, so hopefully the Eagles turn up the intensity to keep their fans onboard.

My Ford dealership is sponsoring a contest this year. At halftime of each home game, an EWU student be randomly selected and given a chance to hit a long distance shot. If they make the shot, they will get the use of a Ford for 6 months (a free lease for 6 months). Men will shoot from the free throw line at the opposite end of the court and women will shoot from the midcourt line.

The score remained close for the first 10 minutes of the game, but the Eagles then pulled away by shutting down the Monarchs and figuring out the Monarchs’ 2-3 defense. By the end of the half EWU led 48-25. The Eagles had just 2 turnovers in the half compared to Old Dominion’s 11 turnovers. EWU also controlled the boards 15-9. Danya Lawson dropped in 12 points and Cory Davis added 9.

Weird halftime stat: no Old Dominion player took more than 3 FT attempts (and only 2 took that many).

At the half, an EWU male sophomore was selected to shoot the halftime contest shot. His shot was short and way off to the left. No car! But the fans liked the contest.

The Eagles maintained about a 20 point lead over the Monarchs throughout the 2nd half and continued to employ a strong defense. The Eagles’ Wings Fan Club was partying in the seats.

Final Score: Eastern Washington (4-2)—74, Old Dominion---55.

Eastern Washington’s leading players: SG Danya Lawson-17 pts, 3 reb, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block; PF Cory Davis-11 pt, 7 reb, 1 assist, 2 steals; SG Will Davis-8 pts, 1 reb, 1 steal; PG Tim Dove-8 pts, 1 reb, 2 assists, 1 block.

Player of the Game: SG Danya Lawson-17 pts, 3 reb, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block.

For Old Dominion: PF/C Jason Brotherson had a strong 2nd half and finished with 16 points and 7 rebounds.

[PointGuard 70]

Article in Easterner Online (student newspaper)

 

Lawson is Player of the Week

EWU’s freshman shooting guard Danya Lawson garnered the Big Sky’s Freshman Player for the week ending December 3, 2015. In the two games that week, Lawson scored 41 points. Combined with the final game of the prior week, Lawson scored 61 points (in a total of 64 minutes on the court) in three consecutive games. During that 3 game stretch, he dropped in 19 of 36 from the field including 14 of 27 from outside the arc. He’s also hitting 92% of his free throw attempts thus far this year.

Lawson told the Easterner that he is "honored to be given the award" and added that "he's happy to be getting more playing time".

With Lawson now having the highest scoring average of any Eagles’ player this season, fans are wondering why Lawson is not starting. Coach Bret Vandergard responded by praising Lawson as a “highly talented player”. He further stated that “He (Lawson) has a great eye for the basket, particularly from outside”. Vandergard said, “Right now he is providing the catalyst we need as the 6th man coming off the bench to pour in points as our starters begin to tire. As our spark plug, he's earned his nickname of "Sparks" that his teammates have given him. Danya is making good progress at learning our offensive and defensive schemes, but it takes a while for a freshman to do so. In addition, because of his size, athleticism, finesse, and our desire to keep him on the court more, we've been having him fill in at both the 2 and 3, so that's also giving him more of a challenge to learn to handle either of the positions.”

The 6’4” Lawson, who is still just 17 years old, hails from Battle Ground, Washington. He was a standout on the Battle Ground High School team that won a state championship in his senior year.

[PointGuard 70]

Larry Montgomery, 3rd asst coach

 

Game #7, Dec. 6, 2015: Holy Cross Crusaders (2-3) at Eastern Washington Eagles (4-2)

SG Johnnie “Jolly” Rencher is averaging 20.6 ppg and is hitting a crazy high percentage of his shots. While we probably can’t stop him, hopefully we can keep him in control.

Damn! We double-teamed Rencher and he still burned us. He single-handedly kept the Crusaders in the game in the first half, scoring 17 points by hitting 5 of 6 from the field including 4 of 5 from 3-point distance. He also put Shawn Jackson on the bench with foul trouble. Danya Lawson replaced Jackson, but was unable to continue his recent success, going 0-7 from the field. At the buzzer we held a slim 38-35 lead. Colin Goode led our scoring with 10 points.

Midway through the 2nd half we finally got some breathing space, opening a 13 point lead with 9 minutes left in the game. From there we continued to expand our lead and won easily. We forced the Crusaders to turn the ball over 26 times. We also hit 26 of 28 from the free throw line.

Final Score: Eastern Washington (5-2)—81, Holy Cross—61.

Leading players for Eastern Washington: C Odie Joseph-16 pts, 4 reb, 1 steal; C Colin Goode-14 pts, 2 reb, 1 assist, 2 steals; SG Shawn Jackson-10 pts, 3 assists, 1 steal; SG Danya Lawson-10 pts, 3 reb, 1 assist, 2 steals; PG Tim Dove-8 pts, 1 reb, 3 assists, 1 steal.

Player of the Game: C Odie Joseph-16 pts, 4 reb, 1 steal.

For Holy Cross: SG Johnnie “Jolly” Rencher scored 20. Foul trouble throttled him in the 2nd half, but C Greg Okotie stepped it up to score 18. No one else on their team scored more than 5 points though.

PF Brian Dearman sustained a deep bruise on his left leg and is likely to miss our next game.

[PointGuard 70]

Glad you beat Wholly Crass!

 

[Copied from a post by Wayne23 on the Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne23 

Glad you beat Wholly Crass!

Good one! 

With 26 turnovers they were actually Wholely Crossed-up on offense. 

[PointGuard 70]

Jack Cooper, Barber

 

Game #8, Dec. 9, 2015: Brigham Young Cougars (2-2) at Eastern Washington Eagles (5-2)

Coach V came in for his bi-weekly haircut a couple days ago and gave me a two complimentary tickets for tonight’s game.

Brigham Young has played all 4 of its games on the road, winning handily at Wake Forest but losing badly to #1 Duke. They also have beaten New Orleans and lost to Texas-El Paso. So it’s hard to tell how they’ll play tonight. Their SG John “Hospital” Hopkins is averaging 17.5 ppg.

BYU controlled the boards (16-8) plus hit 8 of 15 of their 3-point shots and took a 40-32 lead to the locker room. C Cory Davis was our top scorer with 10 points. BYU’s SF John Angeli dropped in 10 points also.

The Eagles fell behind by as much as 17 points early in the 2nd half. They made a run late in the game, cutting the Cougars’ lead to 3 points. Coach V used his timeouts judiciously but the Eagles’ final shots just wouldn’t fall.
I’m sure Coach V would never express it, but I’m sure he’s disappointed to lose this game.

Final Score: Brigham Young-74, Eastern Washington (5-3)-69.

Leading players for Eastern Washington: SG Danya Lawson-13 pts, 3 reb, 1 assist, 1 steal; C Colin Goode-13 pts, 4 reb, 1 steal; PF Cory Davis-10 pts, 4 reb, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 block.

Player of the Game: Brigham Young’s SF John Angeli-19 pts, 7 reb, 1 assist, 1 steal.

[PointGuard 70]

Austin Nathaniel, 2nd Asst Coach

 

Game #9, Dec. 13, 2015: Eastern Washington Eagles (5-3) at Nichols State Colonels (3-2)

Nichols State blazed away, hitting almost all their shots, through most of the first half, opening a 12 point lead. We made a run in the final 7 minutes, cooled the Colonels shooting, and took the lead with about 4 minutes remaining until the intermission. By the buzzer we led 43-37. SF Joe Blackwell tossed in 11 points to lead our scoring. 

The Colonels continued their hot shooting in the 2nd half, finishing the game by hitting a ridiculous 68% of their FG attempts. Nothing we did could cool them down. The refs tweeted us frequently in the 2nd half as well (we ended up by having 5 players with 4 or more fouls). We were unable to overcome those two factors. Trailing, but close, we were forced to foul in the last 1-1/2 minutes and Nichols State hit their free throws.

Final Score: Nichols State—84, Eastern Washington (5-4)—74.

Eastern Washington’s leading players: SF Joe Blackwell-13 pts, 3 reb; PF Cory Davis-11 pts, 5 reb, 1 steal; C Odie Joseph-11 pts, 2 pts, 1 assist, 1 steal; PF Byron Crawford-8 pts, 1 reb,2 assists, 2 steals.

Player of the Game: Nichols State’s SG Marshall Gardner-25 pts, 2 reb, 3 assists.

[PointGuard 70]

Meaghan Kriley, Spokane Spokesman-Review Columnist

 

Word on the street is that while Lieutenant Governor Boswell Havrisham continues to pressure Governor Steven Ingraham to appoint Christine Rozniak to the vacant seat to the U.S. House of Representatives, Rozniak’s demeanor and history may be bad enough to keep the Governor from naming her to the seat before the House reconvenes from one of its many long vacation periods.

Locally Rozniak is still pursuing her purge of those she wants out of power in and near Cheney. Her latest victim was the city public works chief, Mortimer Maxwell, who had opposed her city development plans and a couple of her pet projects involving land she owns or in which she has other personal financial interest. She got her toady, Mayor Reid Doremeier, to hire a realtor (and Rozniak-buddy) from Rozniak’s real estate office to replace Maxwell. As you may recall, Rozniak connived to get the City Council to appoint Doremeier as mayor replacing the old mayor (who was a Rozniak foe) that she and her “Clean Up Cheney” committee had previously ousted.

Meanwhile her brother, Herschel Rozniak, who is now the Cheney Chief of Police, continues his remake of the police department into the 21st century equivalent of Hitler’s SS. It’s believed that detectives now are working harder on investigating Christine’s political foes than on solving local crimes.

[PointGuard 70]

Fred Partington (ex Dean and President Pro Temps of Eastern Washington University)

 

Game #10, Dec. 16, 2015: Milwaukee Panthers (5-4) at Eastern Washington Eagles (5-4)

Things are pretty bleak here at the Federal Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington. There’s a lot of time on my hands, so I’m working on a new text book on the Russian Gulags. I might have to do it under a pen-name. But nights are long and dreary. One night a week, we get to watch TV in the group recreation room. It’s the highlight of the week so I went down tonight hoping for something good. Lo and behold, what did they tune in to but the Eastern Washington basketball game! BASKETBALL, for god’s sake! Now I’m not only confined to a small cell, but have to watch BASKETBALL and EWU basketball at that! If it weren’t for the popcorn I wouldn’t have stayed. Rather than root for someone, I will root against EWU and Coach Vandergard. If you want to know details of this game, I’m the wrong guy to be reporting. I’m hoping there will be a lot of negative things to say about the Eagles’ play.

Ha! Colin Goode scored 11 of the Eagles’ first 13 points but sustained some sort of injury 6 minutes into the game. If the Panthers’ PF Tony Heideman can keep scoring (8 points thus far), maybe Milwaukee, which is now trailing 13-10, will be able to finally take the lead. 30 seconds later, Milwaukee gains their first lead of the night, 14-13.

What’s wrong with Milwaukee? They need to realize that it’s important to defend in the lane. First they let Goode score 11 points at the center position, then Cory Davis moves over to center and scores 12 quick points. The Panthers are going down in flames and trail 33-18 with 6-1/2 minutes to go in the half. This sucks! I trade some cigarettes for a 2nd bag of popcorn.

Hooray! Cory Davis picks up his 2nd foul and unhappily heads to the bench at the 5:33 mark of the 1st half. Then with 3:41 remaining, the refs whistle center Odie Joseph with his 2nd foul.

UGLY! That describes Milwaukee’s 1st half play. 13 turnovers! Letting EWU hit 75% of their shots! Letting the Eagles’ Cory Davis and Colin Goode combine for 23 points! And worst of all, trailing 53-35 even though Tony Heideman scores 10 points for the Panthers! It’s so bad that I have to go back to my cell to get more cigarettes to trade for more popcorn for the 2nd half.

Alright! Milwaukee scores 9 of the first 11 points in the 2nd half. Not even 3 bags of popcorn (I would have had a 4th bag, but I ran out of cigarettes to trade) could get the distaste from my mouth as the Eagles then scored nearly at will, Milwaukee committed 23 turnovers, and EWU ran away with an easy win.

What’s Bret Vandergard done for me lately? He can’t even lose a game when I’m forced to watch Eagles’ BASKETBALL!

Final Score: Eastern Washington (6-4)—91, Milwaukee—71.

Leading players for Eastern Washington: SF Joe Blackwell-17 pts, 1 reb, 2 assists, 3 steals; C Cory Davis-16 pts, 3 reb, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks; SG Danya Lawson-13 pts, 1 reb, 1 assist, 1 steal; C Colin Goode-11 pts, 1 reb (in 7 minutes of play); SG Shawn Jackson-10 pts, 1 reb, 3 assists; PG Darryl Bailey-11 pts, 1 reb, 1 assist, 1 steal.

Player of the Game: SF Joe Blackwell-17 pts, 1 reb, 2 assists, 3 steals.

For Milwaukee: PF Tony Heideman-18 pts, 4 reb, 2 assists, 1 steal; PG Steve McKey-11 pts in 9 minutes of play.

Late-breaking news: The post-game report advised that C Colin Goode broke his arm and will miss the rest of the regular season. Tough break for the Eagles.

[PointGuard 70]

Dec 16: EWU Athletic building

 

During the game, an EWU security guard is knocked unconscious in the empty building and Swede's office is broken into and ransacked as is the office of his assistant Nancy Parker. Recently appointed head of security Bernie Miler starts an investigation immediately, and doubles security on the athletic building.

 

[Copied from post by CoachC in Wolverine Studios forum]

[PointGuard 70]

Hey! My name's Miller- MILLER, not Miler! I hate it when people get it wrong!

 

[Copied from post by Wayne23 in Wolverine Studios forum]

[PointGuard 70]

sorry, Barnie. BTW, where were YOU when the lights went out?

 

[Copied from post by CoachC in Wolverine Studios forum]

[PointGuard 70]

In the dark, DAMN IT!

 

[Copied from post by Wayne23 in Wolverine Studios forum]

[PointGuard 70]

that's ok. PG has felt that way through 43 pages of dynasty now!

 

[Copied from post by CoachC in Wolverine Studios forum]

[PointGuard 70]

Phone call somewhere in the AM

:Find it yet?

:Not yet, but I think we are getting close. We still haven't gone through everything liberated from Olaffsen's office yet.

:Find it by last Tuesday you morons!

:Yes, Hyena

:WHAT??

:um...i said yes, I'm on it

 

[Copied from post by CoachC in the Wolverine Studios forum]

[PointGuard 70]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoachC 

that's ok. PG has felt that way through 43 pages of dynasty now!

Sort of like a car driving on a moonless night without headlights. 

[PointGuard 70]

Nancy Parker, Athletic Department Secretary

 

Game #11, Dec. 20, 2015: Houston Cougars (4-5) at Eastern Washington Eagles (6-4)

Interesting observation: Meaghan Kriley is in attendance at tonight’s game. She’s been at each EWU home game this season which is not something she had done in previous seasons. While neither she nor Coach Vandergard have said anything, I suspect that they have “become an item”.

Center Tarik Pryor is averaging 16.1 ppg and 6.7 rpg this season for Houston. With 7-0 C Colin Goode on the injured list, we may have a tough time containing Pryor. Coach V has moved Cory Davis from PF to C in the starting lineup and returned Terence Hillier as a starter at PF.

The Eagles defense was tenacious in the first half allowing them to build a 36-25 halftime advantage. SG Shawn Jackson scored 10 points ot lead the Eagles offensively. C Tarik Pryor had 9 points and 7 rebounds for Houston.
Eastern Washington scored the first 7 points of the 2nd half and held onto a double digit lead the rest of the way, coasting to a win.

Final Score: Eastern Washington (7-4)—64, Houston-54.

Leading players for Eastern Washington: SG Shawn Jackson-18 pts, 2 reb, 2 assists; SG/SF Danya Lawson-10 pts, 6 reb, 1 assist, 2 steals; PG Tim Dove-10 pts, 4 reb, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block; C Cory Davis-8 pts, 6 reb.

Player of the Game: SG Shawn Jackson-18 pts, 2 reb, 2 as

For Houston: C Tarik Pryor-16 pts, 12 reb, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block; PF Bernard Richardson-16 pts, 1 reb, 3 assists.

[PointGuard 70]

Big Sky W-L Records

 

After the completion of pre-conference play, here's the team W-L records in the Big Sky Conference:

[PointGuard 70]

Eastern Washington Player Stats

 

Going into Big Sky Conference play, here's the player stats for the Eastern Washington Eagles:

[PointGuard 70]

EWU Team Stats after Pre-Conference Play

 

EWU ppg: 76.7 (2nd in nation); OPP ppg: 71.5 (350th in nation)

EWU apg: 14.3 (35th in nation); OPP apg: 14.4 (328th in nation)

EWU rpg: 25.6 (196th in nation ); OPP rpg: 23.4 (46th in nation)

EWU topg: 15.2 (207th in nation); OPP topg: 15.7 (130th in nation)

EWU FG %: 53.9% (3rd in nation); OPP FG%: 52.1% (351st in nation)
'
EWU 3pt %: 41.6% (28th in nation); OPP 3pt %: 33.5% (130th in nation)

EWU FT %: 80.8% (7th in nation); OPP FT %: 65.6 (14th in nation)