Dean Ellis Quotations

Friday, from 3-6 p.m., the players will help pump gas, clean windshields and hand out free tickets to people at all four Holiday stations in Marquette County.

He didn't make a mistake out there (Sunday). He's out there guarding guards with a bad ankle. That job he did was something special. It kind of goes unsung because there's no big stats for him. But he's a special player for us.

He hurt it real bad when he first got here - before he got here - and was in a boot for months. When you re-injure an old ankle, it hurts like crazy. But he'll be OK (today).

Steve has been playing really well that the last two games. I'm really happy to see him perform like that.

I was worried about our fatigue level, but fortunately, it didn't show up. I was proud of how we responded after three tough games.

When you're in desperation, you're going to try anything. They're trapping and we're trying to hold it. If they're trapping and we're trying to score, it might be a different situation. In those games, you're just trying to win by one.

We've made the ones that have counted, though. We haven't lost a game due to poor free throw shooting.

We beat them in a close, tough game earlier in the year.

Every conference game is tough. Year-after-year, these games take on similar personalities to the coaches. Bob Taylor of Northwood, he's coached hundreds of GLIAC games, and his team will be ready to play.

We've got 10 players that can play. We're one of the few teams in the league 10 deep. When you have 10 deep, you have to take advantage of it.

They sent the first double team at him, he settled down, got patient, kicked it out and got a 3, and that really got him going I think. When his 3-point shots go in, he's a great player, and he scored some tough baskets in the post to keep out lead up.

If we've got 10 guys playing like that, we've got a chance to go through January, deep into February with a lot of fresh legs and a lot of fresh bodies.

David had one of his best games. He started the game making a lot of great plays on both ends of the court. When he's got that kind of energy, commitment and focus, our team's really good.

I don't know if any team in the country team did that (schedule). We needed to get through that alive and I think we are.

The guy guarding (Kaiser) had three fouls. He's not a rugged post defender. We figured, get it in there, maybe he'll get his fourth. He (Kaiser) is a great shooter. During that span, he got six points and an assist. That's great for Steve. He's done everything we've asked. Fortunately for him, he was able to get a couple of tough baskets.

And he's the nicest guy in the world. He played hard. Immediately when he got in in the first half, he made a basket. He made play after play. And the block, hopefully we got it on tape, that was an incredible block.