http://www.pocatelloshops.com/new_blogs/kellis/?p=4086
The first time I ever saw Jeremiah Dominguez step onto a basketball court, the only thing I could think about was his height.
Can you blame me? Look how small he is compared to the guy next to him in this picture.
Standing only 5 feet, 6 inches tall, I, along with everyone else on press row at the time, wondered how it was possible for a point guard who was so vertically challenged to compete against other guards a full foot taller than him. I believe my line to fellow writer Dan Thompson was something like: “I think even you could take that guy.”
But we all quickly learned Dominguez doesn’t need to stand tall for his game to speak loudly.
This season, he was clearly the Big Sky’s best point guard and is a very deserving MVP winner.
Granted, the Big Sky is way, way down this year on the men’s basketball side. But Dominguez is an oustanding player. Unlike last year, when the conference coaches wrongly gave the top honor to David Patten instead of future first round NBA pick Rodney Stuckey, I ain’t complaining.
Against Idaho State, I watched several times as Dominguez ran circles around defenders and put in high-lofting layups ala Steve Nash and buried key 3-pointers.
He did this against everyone he faced in league play. He averaged more than 14 points and four rebounds per contest, and on a team with as much talent as Portland State, those numbers went a long way.
The Vikings stormed through the conference tournament at 14-2, and look unbeatable right now.
Give the MVP a lot of credit for that.
Regardless of height, he’s earned it.
* * *
As for the rest of the league standings, I can’t complain much. I feel like Scott Morrison is a much more deserving first-team selection than Andrew Strait, and I’m surprised Dezmon Harris got a second-team nod. But those are small gripes. These are solid teams.
