Bethel’s boys basketball team does not tip off the regular season until December 1, but the team hit the hardwood last week for a scrimmage against the North Adams Devils.

The teams played six “quarters,” and the scores did not carry over. Both squads had some trouble early with fouls, specifically Bethel. They lost the first quarter, 19-9 in large part due to a steady stream of fouls on North Adams’ drives to the basket. Head coach Tom Jutze agreed, and noted the team also had trouble executing in the half court. However, it was not all doom and gloom, as Jutze also noted he “liked his team’s competitiveness.”

Meanwhile, North Adams head coach Nathan Copas had a slightly different opinion on his team’s performance in the scrimmage, which was held at Bethel-Tate High School. Copas wasn’t particularly fond of anything his team did on either side of the ball, but he did point to specific items that the team had to improve on.

“We have to get better on defense,” Copas said. “Containing the ball, rotations, communication and rebounding. If we do not buy into the defensive side of the floor, we will struggle.”

Both teams still have time to improve before the start of the regular season. North Adams opens the regular season on December 1 against Peebles at home while Bethel has a road matchup that same night against West Union.

North Adams’ Trey Meade swats a ball away from the Bethel offense during the teams’ scrimmage last week.
https://www.newsdemocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_BethelBBall1.jpgNorth Adams’ Trey Meade swats a ball away from the Bethel offense during the teams’ scrimmage last week.

A North Adams Devil looks to pass the ball, but can’t find a lane through the Bethel-Tate defender.
https://www.newsdemocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_BethelBBall2.jpgA North Adams Devil looks to pass the ball, but can’t find a lane through the Bethel-Tate defender.

By Garth Shanklin

gshanklin@civitasmedia.com

Reach Garth Shanklin at 937-378-6161 or follow him on Twitter @GNDShanklin.