Practice: Three Days From Preseason Opener

Welcome to the last week of practices, before Fisher College comes to the Lahue Gym to face ENC's men's basketball team. It is Wednesday, October 27th, and practice started at 3:30 today and the competition is noticeably elevated from the first week.

Practice began with Coach Jim Aller having his team sit on the bleachers as he implored his players to be "proactive, not reactive."

ENC hit the court with the usual three-man weave, as well as other warm up drills, before they moved into practicing their half court offense. (3:40 p.m.)

The first five on the court for half court offense has been running plays flawlessly, but the second and third units have had their fair share of trouble. (4:22)

It has turned into a full court game, with pauses for instruction. Coach Aller has been subbing player in and out on both sides. (4:48)

The offense has been rather sloppy thus far. Missed layups, turnovers, and not hitting open shots. Some players haven't acclimated themselves to the offensive scheme yet. (4:52)

For all that it's worth (absolutely nothing), team Red won the full court game 20-17. Players were asked to switch teams by the coaching staff. Good, hard, basketball overall, plenty of things to clean up, as expected, but effort was certainly visible. (4:55)

After a water break the first unit is on the court working on ways to combat the full court press. Coach Aller has asked eight players to play full court press against the starting five. (5:00)

The first unit was 3 for 5 breaking the eight man press. Mike McCoy has been subbed in for Atwater, McCoy now playing with the other four members of the first unit. (5:03)

For being 5 on 8, the offense faired well, even being down 3 players. The first unit even got a few layups after breaking the trap. (5:13)

They have moved into situational basketball. We have a 70-69 score, with the first unit down, and 4 minutes on the clock. (5:15)

Aaron Johnson hit two three's in the final minute to win it for the first unit 79-76. (5:23)

We now have a two minute game with the first unit down 3, 79-76. (5:24)

The backups prevailed in the two minute situational game, 91-87. (5:33)

As the team runs its final sprints for the day it will be farewell from me, hope everyone who reads enjoyed this live blog of practice. See you Saturday for the scrimmage. (5:35)