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December 6, 2005Gladiators roll in openerPopp scores 17 in win over Lake Leelanau
Ben Asam of Traverse City St. Francis (34) drives the lane against Lake Leelanau St. Mary's Joe Rexroat during Monday night's season opener at St. Francis. Most of the Gladiators' players were wearing shoulder pads and cleats only 10 days ago, when St. Francis won the Division 7 state football title. "Our guys are still in a football mode," said Gladiators' head coach Pat Cleland, the offensive coordinator on the football team, after the Gladiators opened the basketball season with a 65-19 victory over the Eagles. "We've had three practices, none of which were in our own gym. So we just tried to work it inside. We're don't have our legs yet." Senior guard Ben Popp, who missed part of the 2004-05 basketball season because of a football injury, agreed. "The guys are still making the transition," Popp said. "I'm just glad they didn't decide to quit, like some seniors do after football, and they're going to play it out." Popp chose not to play football this fall, a decision that hit him harder and harder as the season wore on. "Chad (Biggar) said I would regret not playing football and he was right," Popp said. "Sitting and watching at Ford Field (at the state championship game) was so hard. "But when you make a decision, you stick to it." Popp put the extra time to good use, however, working on his game along with another non-football playing senior, Kyle O'Brien. "I was so excited for this season to start," Popp said. "Kyle and I have been working so hard." It showed. Popp nailed four three-pointers and paced the Gladiators with 17 points. Popp was one of six St. Francis players to score at least six points. Hunter Nostrant added 15 points and seven rebounds, while Ben Wheelock had eight points and five boards, Patrick Rigan contributed eight points and O'Brien and Ben Asam had six points apiece. Still, Popp said the Gladiators have a ways to go. "Physically and mentally, we're still out of shape," he said. "We'll be running (Tuesday)."
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