Nordhoff cagers hit bumps in road
By Jesse Phelps

The Nordhoff boys' basketball team played in the Kiwanis Tournament Dec. 23 through 28 in Ventura and came away with a 1-3 record and some great experience heading into league play.
The Rangers opened the tourney against host Buena Dec. 23, losing 61-47. "Buena's a really good team," said Nordhoff coach Mike Probyn, "they won the tournament." Buena, a large school playing in Division II, led 23-14 at end of the first quarter. Nordhoff played their hosts even in the second quarter and were still down nine at half.
The Rangers used hustle and effort to take the lead and were down only two points heading to the fourth, when Buena switched defenses to take control of the game.
"What they did in that fourth quarter, they switched to a zone," explained Probyn. "We tended to shoot the outside shot first instead of going to the inside and missed six or seven shots in a row. We just settled for outside shots and we did not make them."
The free throw line ultimately hurt the Rangers. Buena made 21 of 24 from the charity stripe, while Nordhoff made just 19 of 31. "We played really well. When we fouled, they made their free throws and we couldn't catch them. It was a good effort on our part," Probyn said.
On Dec. 26, Nordhoff played Antelope Valley and a poor start again cost the Rangers. They were outscored in the first quarter, 20-8.
Nordhoff started to catch a rhythm and won the second quarter 13-7 to trail by six at the half. Back and forth went the score in the fourth quarter. Nordhoff had a last shot to win the game at the buzzer. Forward Micah Nylander's shot looked good but rolled off the rim, sending the game into overtime.
Nordhoff was outscored six to four in the extra session and an Antelope Valley offensive rebound denied the Rangers another shot. The final score was 53-51.
Wiped out perhaps from the hard battle the previous night, Nordhoff suffered a letdown in the third round. Rio Mesa demolished the hapless Rangers 57-29. "We could not score," lamented Probyn. "We held them decently but we just could not score. Effort was good but we shot terribly. Rio Mesa's a good squad and they nailed us."
Looking for a little redemption, the Rangers took on Channel Islands on the tournament's final day. Down a bucket at end of first and five points at halftime, the Rangers won the third quarter, 19-10, and eventually the game, 58-50.
"It was a good win for us." Probyn said, "coming off three losses in a row, we needed that one."
Nylander scored 18 in the second game and 50 for the tournament, leading the team in scoring in all but one game. Sophomore inside presence A.J. Maulhardt "did a good job on the boards," all tournament long, according to his coach. "We played good D, but shots weren't falling for us." Maulhardt averaged nearly 10 points a game for the tournament. "He's really coming along for us," said Probyn.
Last Friday, Nordhoff traveled to Carpinteria to take on the Warriors. The Rangers didn't have what it took, losing by four.
The final score was Carpinteria 52, Nordhoff 48, but the Rangers missed 14 free throws to hand away the game in the final minutes.
"We were ahead most of that game," said Probyn, "And they caught us right in the last minute. They executed in the end." Nylander again led the Rangers in scoring, netting 17. Maulhardt had nine.
A tough week for the Rangers culminated in a loss in the annual alumni game, 67-66.
The varsity had a balanced scoring attack. Everybody that played, scored.
The Rangers were led by Ragnar Stroberg's 11 points. Ben Bower and Nylander had 10 points each, Andy Doyle and Ryan Whitcomb had eight apiece, Maulhardt had five, center T.J. Murphy and Mike Bensley had four each, guard Garrett Stroup had three, and Mike Brown had three. The alumni were led by the Sebek brothers. Mark had 12 points and Tim 10. Eric Bensley had seven, Andy Flores had six, Jordan swift had five and Noah Nylander had six.
The Rangers, at 6-7 overall, play at Rio Mesa Wednesday at 7 p.m. and look to erase the memory of the last game between the two schools. "We've got about five more games before league starts and we have that much time to put it together," said Probyn. "Our shooting hasn't caught up to the rest of our game."

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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