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Versatile Derek Selvig continues to improve in senior year
By ED WEST
Of The Gazette Staff
When 6-foot-10 Derek Selvig picks up his diploma from Dawson County High School in Glendive, he's going to make a lot people happy.
And not just in his family.
Eastern A basketball coaches who've had to contend with his considerable skills will be bidding him a fond farewell.
'We're looking forward to graduation day," joked Sidney coach Rollie Sullivan, who is married to Selvig's aunt (Sandy). "He's so dang versatile for such a big kid. He can bring the ball up. He's 6-10 and you double team him, he's just throws over it. He shoots well and is still getting better. He can post up and you go double him, he knows where the guys are that are open. He's really a complete player." Selvig had 20 points and seven assists in the Red Devils victory over Sidney last week. That's been a fairly typical performance for the son of two former University of Montana players.
Selvig's father, Doug, and mother, Anita, both were Grizzly players in the early 1980s. His uncle, Robin, is the women's coach at the University of Montana and a number of other relatives also played the game.
Derek will follow in his parents footsteps, signing a letter of intent with Montana before the season began.
"It was pretty tough," Selvig said of the decision. "There were some big schools talking to me. I think I made the right choice. They (parents) let me make my own decision. They were happy."
Selvig honed his game over the summer playing in tournaments at Houston and Las Vegas which turned out to be a beneficial experience.
"I think I've improved my post play," Selvig said. "I learned I have to play more physical and be smarter with the ball."
Growing up around the game has helped Selvig, but he seemed to have a knack for it all along.
"He started fairly young," said Doug Selvig, who coaches the Red Devils. "It kind of looked like he would have good instincts and he did. We figured he had a chance to have some size and he's worked at it."
At about 205 pounds, Selvig isn't exactly a banger-type in the paint, but it still hasn't diminished his impact. Defensively, the Red Devils use him out front of their zone which causes major problems.
"You have to reverse the ball and make a quick pass (against a zone) and it's almost impossible," Sullivan said. "He gets his hands on a lot of balls."
Like Sullivan, Hardin coach Mike Erickson is impressed with Selvig's versatility along with the fact "he's a very smart player. He's very heady and he has the capacity to stay focused."
The Red Devils have built a 7-1 record heading into this weekend's games at Laurel tonight and Billings Central on Saturday afternoon.
Their only loss was 85-70 at Dickinson, N.D. They opened the season with a 53-41 victory over Willison, N.D. which features 6-foot-11 Brian Qvale, who will be Selvig's teammate at Montana.
"We're friends," Selvig said. "Brian is a very good post player. We were fortunate to beat them."
Selvig is not the only size the Red Devils have back from last year's third-place team. Brent Dion (6-5) and Drew Milne (6-3) are good players which is why they've received a No. 2 ranking in the first Montana Newspaper Association poll.
But Doug Selvig, is looking for better things from them and himself the rest of the way.
"We're playing well in certain parts of the game," Doug Selvig said. "I haven't managed our rotation as well as I'd hoped. It's something I haven't figured out yet."
When he does, the Red Devils don't figure to be an easy out for anyone.
By ED WEST
Of The Gazette Staff
When 6-foot-10 Derek Selvig picks up his diploma from Dawson County High School in Glendive, he's going to make a lot people happy.
And not just in his family.
Eastern A basketball coaches who've had to contend with his considerable skills will be bidding him a fond farewell.
'We're looking forward to graduation day," joked Sidney coach Rollie Sullivan, who is married to Selvig's aunt (Sandy). "He's so dang versatile for such a big kid. He can bring the ball up. He's 6-10 and you double team him, he's just throws over it. He shoots well and is still getting better. He can post up and you go double him, he knows where the guys are that are open. He's really a complete player." Selvig had 20 points and seven assists in the Red Devils victory over Sidney last week. That's been a fairly typical performance for the son of two former University of Montana players.
Selvig's father, Doug, and mother, Anita, both were Grizzly players in the early 1980s. His uncle, Robin, is the women's coach at the University of Montana and a number of other relatives also played the game.
Derek will follow in his parents footsteps, signing a letter of intent with Montana before the season began.
"It was pretty tough," Selvig said of the decision. "There were some big schools talking to me. I think I made the right choice. They (parents) let me make my own decision. They were happy."
Selvig honed his game over the summer playing in tournaments at Houston and Las Vegas which turned out to be a beneficial experience.
"I think I've improved my post play," Selvig said. "I learned I have to play more physical and be smarter with the ball."
Growing up around the game has helped Selvig, but he seemed to have a knack for it all along.
"He started fairly young," said Doug Selvig, who coaches the Red Devils. "It kind of looked like he would have good instincts and he did. We figured he had a chance to have some size and he's worked at it."
At about 205 pounds, Selvig isn't exactly a banger-type in the paint, but it still hasn't diminished his impact. Defensively, the Red Devils use him out front of their zone which causes major problems.
"You have to reverse the ball and make a quick pass (against a zone) and it's almost impossible," Sullivan said. "He gets his hands on a lot of balls."
Like Sullivan, Hardin coach Mike Erickson is impressed with Selvig's versatility along with the fact "he's a very smart player. He's very heady and he has the capacity to stay focused."
The Red Devils have built a 7-1 record heading into this weekend's games at Laurel tonight and Billings Central on Saturday afternoon.
Their only loss was 85-70 at Dickinson, N.D. They opened the season with a 53-41 victory over Willison, N.D. which features 6-foot-11 Brian Qvale, who will be Selvig's teammate at Montana.
"We're friends," Selvig said. "Brian is a very good post player. We were fortunate to beat them."
Selvig is not the only size the Red Devils have back from last year's third-place team. Brent Dion (6-5) and Drew Milne (6-3) are good players which is why they've received a No. 2 ranking in the first Montana Newspaper Association poll.
But Doug Selvig, is looking for better things from them and himself the rest of the way.
"We're playing well in certain parts of the game," Doug Selvig said. "I haven't managed our rotation as well as I'd hoped. It's something I haven't figured out yet."
When he does, the Red Devils don't figure to be an easy out for anyone.
