|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HERALD JOURNAL: Ags’ Newbold beginning to fit in nicely
This entry was posted on 11/28/2007 7:00 AM and is filed under Boys Basketball News.
Below is an article reprinted from the
Ags’ Newbold beginning to fit in nicely
By Shawn Harrison
Published:
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
While the entire Aggie men’s basketball team has been through an NBA-like start to the 2007-08 season with eight games in 16 days, one Utah State freshman didn’t even think he would be playing a month ago.
Tyler Newbold was all set to redshirt after recently returning from an LDS Church mission to San Bernardino, Calif. The 6-foot-4 guard from Payson was excited to be joining the Aggies, but realized he would need some time to get in shape and learn head coach Stew Morrill’s system.
Then, Nick Hammer decided to call it a career.
Newbold’s original plans changed and he found himself being asked to play this year. He began by backing up Jaycee Carroll, but has found himself playing more at the three spot.
His playing time has increased over the last four games, and through eight contests he is averaging 1.3 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.4 minutes of action per game.
On Thanksgiving Day, before playing in the South Padre Island Invitational, Newbold sat down with The Herald Journal to talk about his short time as an Aggie. He has learned to deal with being a diabetic and is the son of Aggies — his parents, Kelly and Lynette Newbold, both graduated from USU. His father was on the Aggie track team and still holds the fifth-best high jump mark.
HJ: Have these first two weeks been like a whirlwind with so many games?
Newbold: It’s been fun. I haven’t played in a long time in two years. It’s been kind of a transition time, trying to learn how to play again type of thing, learn what I need to do. The great thing about it is, every time I’m in the game I feel more and more comfortable each time I get in, so that is really a positive thing with all of these games.
HJ: Would more practice time help you, since that hasn’t happened with so many games?
Newbold: Yeah, that would. It would give me more time to learn the system, learn everything the coach wants me to do. But also, I think you can learn tons from the games, just being out being in the heat of it, learning what you need to do.
HJ: How did the coaching staff approach you about playing after deciding to redshirt at first?
Newbold: They were planning on redshirting me because I just got back from my (LDS Church) mission in August. That was the plan. Once Nick Hammer decided he didn’t want to play anymore, they brought me in told me there were only three wing players so they needed me to suit up and be ready to fill in the time when Jaycee comes out, if he ever does. But also step in and learn the three, too, so I can step in there when needed, as well.
HJ: Was it a hard decision to not redshirt?
Newbold: It was kind of disappointing at first. But after I realized that I’m going to be out there, this is what my dream has been since I was a little kid. I got really excited really quick. Everything happens for a reason, I believe. I know if I play hard and do my best I will be fine.
HJ: What were your expectations for playing time backing up Jaycee Carroll, who doesn’t come out very much?
Newbold: When he does come out, for the team to not skip a beat. Obviously I’m not going to be in there 30, 35 minutes a game, so when I do get in, I need to bust my butt as hard as I can to absolutely leave everything I have out on the court, so that the team can continue to get better.
HJ: Through the first four games — with the exception of Montana-Western — you didn’t see much time. How hard was that?
Newbold: Yeah, it is, especially like in high school where you play the whole game. I’ve never been in a situation like that in my life. It takes getting used to.
HJ: What do you feel your role on the team is?
Newbold: I’m getting more used to coming off the bench, hyping myself up and being ready for whenever I’m called into play to be the spark off the bench.
HJ: Having scored so much in high school (18.7 points per game as a senior), is it hard to not look to shoot more?
Newbold: To me, even my high school coaches wanted me to shoot more when I was playing. I really love making the extra pass and just doing anything I can to get the team to win. Against Austin Peay, I was really focusing on setting good screens and trying to get my teammates open, because I know that is going to get myself open, because they are going to help off me. It’s really not a big deal for me, as for as scoring. I’m not really a ‘I need to score’ type of guy. The coaches have told me I need to shoot the ball when I’m open.
HJ: Having recently returned from an LDS Church mission, are you still trying to get back in shape?
Newbold: That first month was really tough. There are still times in practice, even in the games, where my legs aren’t where they should be. The great thing about it, each and every week they feel better and better. I kind of have more spring in my legs, to where I hope to get back to where I was before. That definitely has been a mountain to climb as the season came quick.
HJ: How has it been being teammates with Provo’s Tai Wesley, who your Payson team lost to in the 4A championship game in 2004?
Newbold: It’s been fun. He reminds me of that game every day pretty much. We’re really good friends now. When we were playing against each other, we had a lot of respect for each other, obviously didn’t like each other when we were on the court. But off the court, we have a lot of respect for each other. Now we are really great friends. He is a great player, smart and a good teammate.
HJ: How do you deal with being a diabetic?
Newbold: It can be a struggle sometimes, because when I’m exercising really hard, my blood sugar will naturally fall and go down. So, before the game I try and get my blood sugar a little higher than normal so as the game goes on I come down into a nice area. I’ve got it down now, where I have Gatorade or Powerade on the sideline or whatever it may be. I drink that as well as water. I know how much to drink to keep it level. I try to check my blood sugar at halftime. If I’m feeling weird, obviously check it. It’s a struggle sometimes.
HJ: How long have you dealt with having diabetes?
Newbold: I was diagnosed right when I turned 12.
HJ: Are you comfortable with being a diabetic?
Newbold: Yeah, I’m comfortable with it. I’ve gotten pretty used to knowing, realizing what my body is telling me and then to react and adjust with what I need to do. The last thing I need on my mind when I’m playing is whether my blood sugar is OK. I’ve really tried to do a good job before the game to get where I need to be so I don’t have to worry as much during the game.
HJ: How do you test yourself?
Newbold: It’s a prick of the finger, test the blood. There are different ones now where you can stick something on you, but I still use the blood.
HJ: Does your father talk about his days at Utah State?
Newbold: He sometimes does. That’s where he met my mom. They had a wonderful time here, so I’ve always known that Utah State has been a great school, a great place to go.
HJ: Where were you a year ago today on Thanksgiving?
Newbold: Let’s see. I was in the city of San Bernardino, Calif. I was having Thanksgiving with members of the church that had us over. It was kind of cool, an older lady and her daughter. It was just them two because the rest of their family was gone. It was their highlight to have (missionaries) over. It was a fun Thanksgiving.
HJ: Is it hard spending another Thanksgiving away from your family?
Newbold: It feels natural. I haven’t been to many family things in the last two years, so it feels kind of normal. At least I can call them now. It’s not too bad.
|
|
|
|
|
|
