Dogies seek consistency — Defense, focus remain emphasis as pre-conference slate closes
Those were the words of the weekend for the Newcastle Dogies as they wrapped up the Pinedale Winter Classic with three games against quality opposition and continued to search for a complete, four-quarter performance.
Head coach Allen Von Eye said the message has been the same all season, particularly for a young, short-handed group that has been tested early by a demanding schedule.
“We know that we have small numbers and are young, but we will not use them as excuses,” Von Eye said. “We must ramp up our defensive focus and execution. This is one of our worst defensive starts in the last 20 years. We have the ability and potential, but we have to start putting it together and being consistent.”
Newcastle opened the weekend against Mountain View and showed flashes on both ends of the floor, but struggled to sustain them in a 63-44 loss. Junior Kyan Allen turned in the most aggressive performance of his career, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds while attacking the rim throughout the game.
“Kyan was on the attack all game,” Von Eye said. “That’s something we need out of him consistently. He has so much ability, and we’re working to get him to push himself out of those comfort zones.”
Defensively, the Dogies had difficulty slowing Mountain View and gave up too many second-chance opportunities, despite strong rebounding efforts from Allen and sophomore Landen Hill, who continued his run of double-digit rebounding performances. Newcastle also struggled to find consistency from the perimeter, though Von Eye said the fourth quarter showed signs of improvement once the group settled in.
The middle game of the tournament against Lyman provided another lesson in consistency in a game that swung sharply after halftime. Newcastle handled pressure better early and competed defensively in the first half, with sophomore Dustin McCarthy carrying the offense. Lyman led 27-23 at the break, and the Dogies were within striking distance.
“Dustin put us on his back in the first half,” Von Eye said. “We handled pressure much better and played better defense, but we didn’t keep them off the glass very well.”
That momentum did not carry over after halftime. Lyman increased its defensive pressure without changing schemes, and Newcastle struggled to respond.
“We came out really flat in the second half,” Von Eye said. “Our defense really lacked focus and effort, and we allowed very easy baskets inside. It was a great learning experience and another chance to drive home that we must be consistent.”
Newcastle closed the weekend against host Pinedale for the second time this season and responded with one of its more competitive efforts, despite playing on a short turnaround following the Lyman game.
“I thought we really responded,” Von Eye said of the 79-47 loss. “Our kids were tired, but they didn’t come out flat. They fought the entire ball game.”
Hill continued to assert himself on the glass and delivered a strong offensive performance, highlighted by the first dunk of his varsity career. Allen bounced back from a tough outing against Lyman with an effort-filled performance, consistently attacking the rim even as shots proved hard to come by. Colten Hatheway provided steady production on the perimeter, while Coen Tavegie knocked down perimeter shots and helped facilitate the offense.
Offensively, Von Eye said Newcastle’s metrics remain encouraging, but improvement on the defensive end is non-negotiable as conference play approaches.
“We are in a good spot offensively with this crew,” he said. “Now we just need them to buy in to the importance of playing good defense play in, play out. Defense travels, and you have to play defense and rebound in conference season.”
Newcastle will continue its schedule this week with a makeup game against Belle Fourche before opening conference play against No. 2-ranked Douglas.
Pinedale Winter Classic Results
Mountain View 63, Newcastle 44
Field Goals: Mountain View 23-67 (34%), Newcastle 16-40 (40%)
3-Point Shooting: Mountain View 6-21 (29%), Newcastle 3-16 (19%)
Free Throws: Mountain View 11-12 (92%), Newcastle 9-16 (56%)
Rebounds: Mountain View 40, Newcastle 27
Turnovers: Mountain View 14, Newcastle 26
Assists: Mountain View 9, Newcastle 5
Top Dogies
Kyan Allen: 20 points, 10 rebounds
Coen Tavegie: 9 points, 2 steals
Colten Hatheway: 8 points
Dustin McCarthy: 7 points, 2 assists
Landen Hill: 12 rebounds
Lyman 75, Newcastle 37
Field Goals: Lyman 34-76 (45%), Newcastle 13-42 (31%)
3-Point Shooting: Lyman 2-14 (14%), Newcastle 4-15 (27%)
Free Throws: Lyman 5-11 (45%), Newcastle 7-12 (58%)
Rebounds: Lyman 41, Newcastle 31
Turnovers: Lyman 13, Newcastle 36
Assists: Lyman 19, Newcastle 9
Top Dogies
Dustin McCarthy: 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Kyan Allen: 6 points, 8 rebounds
Landen Hill: 4 points, 13 rebounds
Pinedale 79, Newcastle 47
Field Goals: Pinedale 31-73 (42%), Newcastle 20-47 (43%)
3-Point Shooting: Pinedale 13-34 (38%), Newcastle 5-13 (38%)
Free Throws: Pinedale 4-4 (100%), Newcastle 2-9 (22%)
Rebounds: Pinedale 43, Newcastle 22
Turnovers: Pinedale 5, Newcastle 16
Assists: Pinedale 17, Newcastle 7
Top Dogies
Colten Hatheway: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Landen Hill: 14 points, 10 rebounds
Kyan Allen: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Coen Tavegie: 6 points, 4 assists