Thursday, November 1, 2007

There's lots to say after 49ers' rout

Some postgame quotes and thoughts from Charlotte 49ers coach Bobby Lutz and players Phil Jones and Leemire Goldwire following their 92-36 exhibition victory against Ottawa on Wednesday night:
Coach Bobby Lutz:
"I was pleased. I was a little concerned with so many new guys. But they were anxious to play somebody other than each other. I am really shocked at the margin. They did have two guys missing, but this team played Illinois and Alabama. Villanova did beat them pretty handily, but it was a game at halftime in all of them. I was pretty surprised with the easy we were able to establish a big lead in the first half. There was great energy and the crowd was fantastic."
Thoughts on Phil Jones: "Phil showed that he is a low-post presence. That’s what we wanted to start the game. He just needs to continue to work on his conditioning. He gets tired. In the second half, we just didn’t get it to him. Part of that was they adjusted their defense and played some zone. They packed it in on him. He is going to continue to be, when he is in the game, a focal point of our offense."
Thoughts on DiJuan Harris: "DiJuan was terrific off the bench. He had 18 minutes, four assists, no turnovers, three steals. It’s not that he wouldn’t be a good starter, but he is the prefect energizer off the bench. We’re already playing hard and quick and then he comes in and we hit another level. He was really good both halves."
Phil Jones
"It feels good, man. I waited a whole year for this. There were a lot of emotions, but it was good. I enjoyed myself. For the first three minutes I had butterflies. We have faithful fans. The turnout was great. They got a taste of what they’re going to see this season. We’ve put in a lot of hard work, so it’s going to pay off in the end."
Leemire Goldwire
"I started the game off at the (point guard position) and tried to get my other teammates involved, but when I moved to (shooting guard) and they milk me, I can make those all day. We didn’t play that strong a team but the crowd was behind us and we played hard. Sometimes in practice we go hard and sometimes we go so-so, but we were definitely going all out tonight. It was a good win."

3 comments:

Justin Ritchie said...

The 49ers made it look easy last night, Wilderness has the poise of an NBA player, Phil is unstoppable in the paint on offense and defense, Harris is only a freshman?

With a team like this and a schedule like this anything could happen, but it will definitely be entertaining. I don't see any reason why the Niners won't be in every game this season.

Anonymous said...

For a change.....actual athletic basketball players that know what to do with the ball, and don't stand around on the court looking lost and confused. AND play defense !
Bobby....please don't over-coach !

Anonymous said...

I agree with both of you. This team is by far better than last year and seams to be on the same page. I can't wait until the season actually starts. Bobcats arena get ready for a showdown, is all I can say. I am all in! Go Niners!