MONROE — It may be time for the Snohomish County Explosion to circle the defensive wagons.
The plain old run-and-shoot Central Oregon Hotshots visit the Explosion in an International Basketball League game tonight at Monroe High School.
The Hotshots — who gave up 176 points in a game against Chicago Heights last season, but poured in 194 of their own to come away with a victory — are leading the league in scoring just as they did in 2007 when they averaged 147 per game. Their simple formula has not changed.
“(Central Oregon) is up and down, fast-breaking,” Snohomish County coach Randy Redwine said. “They just kick it out and run.”
Redwine offered up a straight-forward strategy to counter the run-and-gun Hotshots.
“We’ve got to focus on boxing out and keeping them off the boards,” Redwine said. “Deny them opportunities to do what they like to do.”
Its ability to score with great rapidity — even by the IBL’s eye-popping standard — has not translated into overall success for Central Oregon, which, after struggling to a 9-13 mark in 2007 is off to a 6-7 start this year.
The Hotshots opened 5-3 before dropping four straight contests. But, they regrouped last weekend — behind 30 points and 17 rebounds by Terry Horton and the 36 points of Jeff Dunn — to edge Portland by three points, the same margin of victory the Explosion enjoyed over the Chinooks earlier this season.
Makeshift lineup proved mettle: Despite missing leading scorer Donald Watts (21.6 points per game), floor leader Jamal Miller, double-double threat forward Justin James and center David White, the Explosion looked sharp in last Saturday’s 122-84 victory over the Shanxi Zhongyu.
Alex Adediran (29 points, 14 rebounds) was a force to be reckoned with, although Redwine insists the recently acquired 6-foot-8 center is not yet in good shape.
Another key acquisition, forward Justin White contributed 18 points and nine boards.
“He may not look like it, but he can get the job done,” Redwine said of White who is averaging 11.2 rebounds in four games.
Guards Mike Boyle (six assists, four rebounds) and Ryan Skinner (12 points, three assists, three steals) were effective with Miller out.
“(Boyle) has made a lot of progress and shows he deserves more minutes,” Redwine said. “Skinner is very consistent, defensive-minded and a guy I respect and appreciate.”
David White (ankle, lower back) is expected to be out three more weeks. Watts, Miller and James – workhorses who have each averaged about 35 minutes per game – return tonight, but with the improved bench play, Redwine hopes to reduce their playing time somewhat.
Sharing the rock: Redwine was delighted about the 28 assists the Explosion had against Shanxi.
“That’s something we’ve got to do in order to be successful,” Redwine said. “We need to build on that effort and make that our trademark.”
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