It's hard to blame the Griz. It was nearly past their bedtime.
First-year coach Larry Krystkowiak has been holding morning workouts since practice began on Oct. 16. Some begin as early as 5:30 a.m.
It certainly hasn't hurt their shooting. Ten players scored in double figures in the 40-minute scrimmage played in front of several hundred fans.
"I think we made more than our fair share of shots, which helps make a scrimmage look a little better," said Krystkowiak. "I don't know what it says for our defense."
Acrobatic sophomore Matt Dlouhy led the way with 21 points, followed by freshmen Matt Martin with 19 and Jordan Hasquet with 17.
"It was exciting," said Hasquet, a 6-foot-8 Missoula Sentinel product. "It's a whole new level, that's obvious. I'm not the biggest guy on the court any more. You've got to out-quick those bigger guys and play hard all the time."
Martin, from Spearfish, S.D., and sophomore Brian Lynch (10 points) handled the majority of minutes at point guard. That's a role the Griz will need to fill after the graduation of Derrick Mansell.
"Those guys don't have a whole lot of time under their belts," Krystkowiak said. "They're being asked to do a lot. They're settling in and getting more comfortable each day."
Another newcomer, guard Virgil Matthews from Centralia (Wash.) Community College, added 16 points, as did junior center John Seyfert. Last season's leading scorers, senior Kamarr Davis and Criswell, had 15 and 13 points, respectively. Junior Corey Easley, with 12, and freshman Andrew Strait, with 10, rounded out the double-figure scorers.
Krystkowiak ticked off a number of reasons for holding the red-eye practices. There are conflicts with facilities at this time of the year, it frees up the afternoon for studying, and the coaches have the rest of the day for planning.
"One of my favorite sayings in life is to do your work early in a lot of different ways," Krystkowiak said. "It just feels awfully good when we're done, the guys walking out at 8 o'clock in the morning and the sun's just coming up."
The Griz will play their first exhibition game Nov. 4 against the University of Great Falls.
"Now it's time to look at some film and break down where some of our weaknesses are," Krystkowiak said. "We need to get in better shape. Guys got a sense for how tired they can get tonight."
Notes: Junior center Chris McKay did not play in the scrimmage. McKay, who was recently cleared to practice after a knee injury, had a conflict with a class. ... In addition to the three freshmen and two junior college transfers recruited to the team, the Griz have two walk-ons - 5-10 guard Nick Thierry of Beaverton, Ore., and 6-2 guard Richard Stapleton of Marietta Ga. Thierry did not score and Stapleton had two points. ... Sophomore Mike Chavez played in the scrimmage and will continue to practice, although he is academically ineligible for competition this semester. ... The Lady Griz will hold their Maroon-Silver scrimmage next Wednesday evening.
Composite box - Jon Wilkins 4, Virgil Matthews 16, Kevin Criswell 13, Brian Lynch 10, Matt Martin 19, Jordan Hasquet 17, Mike Chavez 4, John Seyfert 16, Andrew Strait 10, Matt Dlouhy 21, Lamarr Farr 5, Kamarr Davis 15, Corey Easley 12, Richard Stapleton 2.
Sports editor Bob Meseroll can be reached at 523-5265 or by e-mail at sportsdesk@missoulian.com.
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