The Chronicle Herald (Provincial)
Tynes steps up for Bobcats
Dartmouth native shines as starter for injured Montana State Bobcats guard
“I think the coaches saw some things in me that I haven’t maybe shown before. I’m a little more comfortable in my role now.” Kellen Tynes Guard, Montana State Bobcats
Kellen Tynes pounced on his first starting assignment like he forced a steal on an errant pass and threw down a breakaway dunk.
And that's what the young guard did on one memorable play during Montana State's 114-74 victory over Yellowstone Christian on Sunday night.
The Dartmouth native is only three games into his NCAA career with the Bobcats when an injury thrust him into the starting guard role against Yellowstone Christian.
Tynes responded by putting up an impressive stat line of 16 points, on six-for-10 shooting, six assists, six rebounds and three steals in 33 minutes of play.
“I played all right,” said the modest 19-year-old about replacing injured senior point guard Xavier Bishop. “I always have a little bit of butterflies for every game, but it felt good, especially being able to play at home. We have a talented team and a great group of guys, so it's always fun to go and compete. We won, obviously, and that was big.
“I think the coaches saw some things in me that I haven't maybe shown before. I'm a little more comfortable in my role now. I know the system better than the first game, and I was able to show more stuff and help the team.”
The freshman said his big game was even more meaningful with family and friends watching from home.
“It felt good because they were messaging me after the game and stuff like that.”
Bishop is expected back from his toe injury for Friday's game against Washington State, meaning Tynes will return to his backup role.
But his first start made a positive impression on head coach Danny Sprinkle.
“The one thing that has impressed me is he made really good decisions in the first three games. He's done a good job reading where the help side is and skipping the ball over. He's done a really good job making the right reads.
“He is pretty even-keeled for a freshman.”
While Tynes is a freshman, he brings a basketball pedigree of winning.
The six-foot-three guard led Nova Scotia to Canadian championships in the under15 and under-17 divisions and was named MVP of both competitions. And last year he was the most valuable player of the National Preparatory Association when he led New Brunswick's Rothesay Netherwood School to a 12-0 record.
Sprinkle is well aware of the 19-year-old's accomplishments and knows he has a potentially great player.
“He's a worker and unbelievable kid on and off the court,” said Sprinkle.
“He wants to be good, it's important for him to be good. The one thing I knew he could do right away was defend at this level. He's got great hands, he has good instincts defensively and he's a tough kid.
“Offensively he seems to be getting better and more confident with the offence. He works hard on his shot and you can see him knocking down shots. When he gets his feet set he's a pretty good shooter.
“Defensively our guys really see his toughness and I think he has earned their respect in that standpoint.”
TEAMMATES A BIG HELP
Tynes credits team leaders like Bishop and Jubrile Belo for helping make his transition to the college game a little easier.
“Xavier, we're pretty close and he's like a big brother to me,” said Tynes. “He's helped me a lot because he's been through what I'm going through. Guys like Jabril have been giving me positive reinforcement after I mistake in practice, helping me learn.
“As a freshman coming in you are going to make a lot of mistakes so the big thing is to not and dwell on them and learn from them. Just try not to make the same mistake twice. The leaders on our team have really helped me adapt to the system and the coaches have taught me so much in a short amount of time. I'm just trying to put it all together and show it on the floor.”
His Bobcat teammates will also play a major role as he spends his Christmas away from his Dartmouth family.
Montana State begins its Big Sky Conference schedule on Dec. 31 and a trip home isn't in the cards.
“I will be staying here because we have our conference play pretty soon,” said Tynes. “I knew I would have limited time home just as most athletes. Just have to adjust and probably have a Zoom Christmas or something like that.”