Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the game wasn’t as close as the score might indicate.
Homer shot 52.6 percent from the floor (30-of-57), won the boards 45-15 and was never challenged after bolting in front 32-3. Nikiski failed to score for a 12-minute stretch of the first half, going 0-for-14 from the floor with 15 turnovers.
“It was nice to watch them play,” said Head Coach Mark Casseri of his team. “Everything was clicking for us. It was the defensive end that did it.”
Defense, yes, and speed, plenty of speed.
Most of the Mariners points came on the fast break Saturday night after they forced Nikiski into 29 turnovers.
All 10 Mariners who played on Saturday can run the floor, including big men Taylor Layland and Noah McWilliams, who often led the break on Saturday.
The Mariner team lost five seniors from a year ago, but it seems to have reloaded with plenty of fresh faces.
Senior transfers Jesse Leman and junior Deonte Powe from Ninilchik and a host of speedy juniors complement returning seniors Layland, McWilliams and Michael Fielding.
Before the season, Casseri was cautiously optimistic about the team, saying the kids were working hard and gelling as a unit in practice.
After the first game against an over-matched Bulldog squad, the mood was the same.
“It was a great game for the guys; they executed well,” he said.
But the head coach and players said the competition level is only going to get tougher as the season progresses.
“It was good,” said Layland, who scored 23 on Saturday. “But it wasn’t a very tough team. We didn’t get to see how (we) match up against a good varsity team. I can’t wait to see how we do against Grace.”
The Mariners travel to Anchorage for the Grace Christian Invitational this weekend, where they will play 3A favorite Grace Christian, Bethel and South Anchorage.
Grace features a 6’10” center, while Bethel and South should both come to the tournament with solid squads.
Casseri said regardless of the opponent his plan is to play tough defense, rebound and run.
“The biggest thing from last year is most of the teams weren’t ready for our speed,” he said. “They reacted to what we were doing and we’re going to be faster this year.”
Speed, of course, is relative, but those who get a look at a Mariner practice soon realize what speed means to Casseri.
From the time his players step on the floor to the time they finish practice with a tortuous three-minute tip drill, the Mariners move at full speed.
Casseri showed Mariner fans what this looks like last week at the Meet the Mariners event.
“Most of the fans don’t understand what it is like until they actually see it,” he said. “The only time the kids stand is during free throws.”
Most of the drills at practice revolve around full-court passing, rebounding or defense. And all are done with a ball in hand.
“He kind of has a different philosophy than a lot of coaches,” said Layland. “You don’t just run to run. I mean you do run a lot, but he figures you might as well be doing something else (at the same time).”
Small goals are just as important as running, as every drill is measured against the clock or the scoreboard. But there was one lofty goal Cassari mentioned to his players at practice that was repeated by Layland.
“Our main goal is to go to state and to play West,” Layland said. “We missed out on state last year by five points. And we want to see how we stack up against them.”
Ben Stuart can be reached at ben.stuart@homernews.com.
Peninsula Clarion reporter Alan Wooten contributed to this report.
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