Consistency is key
Feb. 12, 2010 - Regina Leader-Post
By Ian Hamilton
Kris Heshka is hitting his stride as well as some shots.
The University of Regina Cougars post has been more consistent of late as the men's basketball team makes a push for a Canada West home playoff game.
Heshka, a 22-year-old product of Gorlitz, has averaged 15.6 points over Regina's past six games after averaging 11.5 points through the team's first 12 regular-season contests. His shooting percentage has skyrocketed to 67.3 over the past six games from 51.0 through the first 12.
"As a team, we've definitely been more consistent through the rotation," Heshka said Thursday. "That trickles down. I'm trying to be a constant in rebounds, in scoring and as a general defensive presence. My goal is to be a constant without much variable. I hope it's positive."
The 6-foot-7, 220-pound post enters this weekend's series against the Saskatchewan Huskies as the Cougars' third-leading scorer (12.9 points per game) and second-leading rebounder (7.1 per game) this season.
He averaged 16.0 points and 8.8 rebounds during the 2008-09 campaign en route to being named a Canada West second-team all-star.
"He didn't really have a bad start this year," Cougars assistant coach Steve Burrows said. "He started OK and for whatever reason -- I wish I knew what it was -- he had some inconsistent stretches where he wasn't the dominant physical presence we need him to be."
Heshka attributes that to adjustments the Cougars made to their offensive game plan, suggesting he's "just starting to get used to" the offence.
Another factor in Heshka's inconsistent play mentioned by both Burrows and Heshka was his status as an all-star last season.
"Teams are sending more guys at him and making him do things out of his comfort zone, like finding guys and passing out of the post," Burrows said.
"It's all really new to him. He hasn't been asked to do that very much here."
"With success comes notoriety," added Heshka, who's averaging one assist per game this season. "Teams are more in tune with other teams' players and what they can do. I've faced that. But my teammates have stepped up.
"There are five of us out there. My teammates have really excelled this year."
The Cougars take a 10-8 record into today's game (8 p.m.) against the Huskies at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport. The teams are to meet again Saturday in Saskatoon.
Regina already has clinched a playoff spot -- its 15th straight appearance in the post-season -- and can play host to a first-round playoff series if it sweeps the Huskies.
Heshka will have to play a central role if that's to happen.
"Saskatchewan has six guys 6-foot-6 or bigger, so they make it tough on him," Burrows said. "They're big and they're physical and he doesn't have the physical advantage that he has on some weekends."
"It's almost like motivation; I look at it the best way I can," noted Heshka, who has known some of the Huskies -- like 6-foot-8 Troy Gottselig and the Unsworth brothers, Clint (6-foot-9) and Chris (6-foot-8) -- since their high school days. "At the end of the day, it's all about effort."
Much of Heshka's effort lately surrounds his free-throw shooting. He was 28-for-54 (51.8 per cent) from the line in his past six games after going 32-for-77 (41.6 per cent) in the Cougars' first 12 games.
"The coaches have a game plan and we all have to follow it and do our part," said Heshka, who was 10-for-20 from the line in Saturday's 98-79 victory over the visiting Winnipeg Wesmen.
"For me, it's about putting in extra work on my free throws and trying to be the guy who's going to be a constant and who's going to lead through the playoffs."