Thirteen Farmington players scored as the Tigers opened their 2010-11 season on a high note with a 74-43 thumping of Section 1AA rival Rochester John Marshall, Friday night, Dec. 3, at Tiger Gym.
The Tigers used a sticky full-court press to torment the visitors in the first half and by intermission were sitting on a comfortable 39-13 cushion.
"I was very pleased with how effective our different presses were," coach Shane Wyandt said. "It was a good first game match-up for us. When we play defense and rebound like we did tonight, things will go well for us."
Wyandt played every player on his bench in the second half, including three freshmen, and the lead kept increasing.
"It was a good team effort," he said. "Our seniors did a good job of setting the tone. You couldn't ask for much more for a first game."
Alex Michels led the way with team-highs in points and rebounds with 22 and 11 respectively. Sebren Baer added 11 points and Austin Bassett and Nick Varner had eight apiece.
Farmington won the battle of the boards 45-27 and forced the visitors into 24 turnovers. The Tigers turned the ball over 14 times, a number Wyandt said was acceptable for the first game.
"We'd like to keep that number around 10," he said. "We can live with that."
While the Tiger coach was pleased with his team's effort in the season opener, he cautioned that things won't be so easy next time out, a Tuesday, Dec. 7 match-up at defending section champion Owatonna
"They have one of the better jump-presses in the state," he said. "We'll need to take care of the basketball and keep doing the other things we did well tonight."
The Tigers retun home Thursday, Dec. 9, when they entertain Hastings at Tiger Gym.
