Humpherys overcomes double-, triple-teams to lead Bobcats
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REXBURG — Nash Humpherys is coming off a season in which he averaged nearly 20 points per game as a junior and was named a First-Team All-State selection. And he is off to an even better start as a senior, despite being the focal point of opposing defenses.
The 6-foot point guard had two defenders in his face all night — and often more than that — when his Madison Bobcats played their final game of 2024 last week. Even with their being four or even six eyes on him — and on more than one occasion, eight — Humpherys led all scorers and carried Madison to a one-sided, 75-34, victory over the Pocatello Thunder a fellow team with championship aspirations.
Asked if he expects his star to be defended all season the was he was by the Thunder, Madison head coach Shane Humpherys offered a simple answer: “Yes.”
He elaborated:
“That’s what we’ve seen already, but he’s been able to do pretty well against that, hitting open shots, and then he starts making his teammates better. It’s just fun to watch.”
Nash dished out 4.6 assists per game to go with him massive scoring output last season, and that number has trended up in the early goings this year.
His ability to find the open man did not deter Pocatello from keeping two on him as soon as he crossed midcourt. But even with the defensive pressure, Nash hit from deep, mid-range and even found enough space to attack the hoop.
He left the game with nearly half the third quarter left to play to thunderous applause, having scored a game-high 31.
Shane, upon learning Nash finished the game with his latest 30-piece, simply laughed.
“He did that in two-and-a-half quarters,” the coach said. “That’s crazy, he’s crazy.”
Behind the offensive production of its star, who has already signed to play with Boise State next season, Madison is off to a 6-1 start. They will look to improve on their third-place finish at last year’s state basketball championships — perhaps bringing a boys basketball banner back to Rexburg for the first time since 2007.
Nash and the Bobcats are enjoying an extended break and will not be back on the court until Jan. 2, when they will host San Pedro (CA) during the East Idaho Holiday Shootout.