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Saturday was the final full practice day of training camp for the team, as coaches and players were preparing for Monday’s intrasquad scrimmage. With the 2005-06 preseason schedule looming on the horizon and their first preseason game on October 12 against Atlanta just a few days away, the Bobcats focused their energy on Friday and Saturday with transition offense and defense and specific set plays. The Bobcats will take the day off on Sunday.
"Tomorrow is an off day, and it will give these guys a chance to let their bodies recover from a tough week of practice," said GM and Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff. "Sunday is our day that we normally give the guys off. We just leave them alone and allow them to get away from everybody and relax."
DON’T RUSH TO JUDGEMENT
After struggling to find his shooting touch through the early parts of training camp, Bobcats guard Kareem Rush found his shooting stroke on Saturday, consistently finishing off fast-breaks and offensive set plays with his feature-like touch from the perimeter. Rush appeared in 34 games with the Bobcats last season and averaged 11.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 25.8 minutes, while shooting .386 from three-point range. Rush has worked mainly with returning starters Emeka Okafor, Brevin Knight, Primoz Brezec and Gerald Wallace during scrimmages.
"I’ve been working really hard to get my feel back, and today my shots were falling," said Rush. "I’ve been able to create some shots for myself and my teammates have confidence in me that I will make the open shot, so they look for me on the perimeter."
OVERTIME
The Bobcats will play an intrasquad scrimmage on Monday, October 10 at UNC Wilmington’s Trask Coliseum. The scrimmage is free and open to the public, with donations accepted at the entrance for the American Red Cross to aide in the relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims. Tipoff time for the intrasquad scrimmage is scheduled for 5:00 PM.
PUT ON YOUR DUCK SHOES
As players began making their way to the buses Saturday morning, interns were driving rental cars carrying players from the hotel lobby to the bus, located in between the coaches hotel and players hotel. Those who chose to fight the elements were greeted to an additional early morning shower as they dashed to the bus. Over six inches of rain has poured into Wilmington, NC over the past couple of days, so much that the entire Friday night high school football schedule was cancelled. The front page of today’s sports section in town featured a puddle filled football field and empty bleachers.
SLIPPERY WHEN WET
The Bobcats were restricted to two baskets for Friday and Saturday’s scheduled practices due to leakage in Trask Coliseum. Downpours of rain in the Wilmington area over the last four days have caused an accumulation of water on the Trask roof. Standing water has begun to seep through the air vents and on to the auxiliary areas of the basketball court. The Bobcats are working exclusively on the main floor.
"It was kind of strange to see large trash cans placed on the sides of the court," said Bobcats guard Brevin Knight. "We knew it had been raining a lot, but we didn’t expect to see it inside too."
"It was raining so hard today (Saturday), that I decided to skip breakfast and just get ready for practice," said Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace.
MEET YOU AT THE PUB
Fat Tony’s, an Italian pub located in Wilmington has become the most visited restaurant for players. Pasta dishes, pizza, big screen televisions and a laid back atmosphere have not only attracted the Bobcats players since arriving in town on Tuesday, but team personnel and media. On Friday night, Bobcats assistant coach Gary Kloppenberg was seen enjoying a meal at Fat Tony’s.
"I like the proximity of Fat Tony’s and the food is really good," said Emeka Okafor. "After a long day of practice, you want to go someplace to sit down and chill and have a good meal."
INJURY UPDATES
Jake Voskuhl returned to half court action on Saturday after missing Thursday and Friday’s practice with a slight right groin strain. He was held out of full court scrimmage on Saturday… Sean May sat out the entire practice on Saturday to rest his knee… Alan Anderson continues the rehabilitation process on his knee… Matt Carroll suffered a right elbow injury and missed the end of practice scrimmage… Melvin Ely is nursing sore knees that limited his participation at the end of practice on Saturday… Jason Capel suffered a left ankle injury, prompting the end of practice on Saturday.
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