Bandits relying on youngsters

Victoria Sun

Thursday, Dec. 14, 2000 | 10:54 a.m.

There's a youth movement quietly taking over the Las Vegas Bandits of the International Basketball League.

So far, the team's veteran players haven't grumbled too much -- and for good reason.

The Bandits won their season opener at St. Louis last Saturday using a starting lineup of five IBL rookies who made a good first impression.

"It really doesn't matter whether I start or not," Bandits point guard Isaac Burton said. "Whatever is best for the team, I'm with it.

"I was proud of the team effort."

Tonight the Bandits (1-0) will try to use the same formula when they host Richmond (0-2) at the Thomas & Mack Center at 7:30.

Burton was the team's starting point guard last year and led the league in steals with 2.5 per game.

Though he came off the bench against St. Louis, Burton scored a game-high 27 points.

"A lot of people came up to congratulate me, but I didn't score all of our points, we did it together," he said. "We're a lot more eager to play and practice this year. A lot of these guys want to work hard every day. They're willing to learn and bring it every practice."

Eddie Gill, the Bandits' first draft pick, debuted with 17 points and three rebounds. He is a 6-foot point guard out of Weber State who sees the court well and can shoot from long range.

Gill, forwards Frantz Pierre-Louis and Damian Cantrell, center J.R. Koch and guard Mike Jones are expected to start tonight's game.

Bandits assistant coach and director of player personnel Barry Hecker said he has noticed a difference between this year and last year's squad. Hecker spoke about the team at a recent practice while first-year head coach Lionel Hollins was tending to personal matters.

"Player-wise, we've got some guys that really like to play and are very competitive," Hecker said. "The way Lionel runs practice, it's a lot more competitive and tougher.

"I feel like we're going to be a lot more consistent this year than we were last year and play hard every night. Last year, we had so many talented players, but it was a roller coaster."

The Rhythm's Kareem Reid is the team's leading scorer with 17.5 points followed by Kermit Holmes with 16 points.