Carson basketball coach Bruce Barnes watched Matt Rutledge as far back as junior high, and he knew then that he was looking at his point guard of the future.
"I've watched him all the way back when he was in seventh grade," said Barnes, whose Senators host arch-rival Douglas tonight in a key Sierra League battle. "Watching him you could see he had a good feel for the game. He was making the right decisions in junior high when all the kids care about is scoring.
"You've heard about point guards being an extension of the coach?," He truly is. He very rarely comes out of the game. When he's not out there, things tend to not run as smoothly. We have other guys that play the point, but we're stronger when he's out there."
That's very high praise, because Barnes doesn't just dole out compliments everyday; not his style. You get what you earn with him, and that's the way it should be.
In Rutledge's care, the kudos are well deserved. The Carson senior is a rarity in Northern Nevada 4A basketball. He's been with the Senators' varsity all four years, first as a back-up to Adam Houghton and Jeremiah Teeter as a freshman, and then as a starter the past three seasons.
Rutledge has rewarded Barnes' faith by improving year in and year out.
"I'm a lot smarter," Rutledge said. "I know what coach Barnes wants and what he expects.
"What I've learned is that if you make a mistake, don't turn it in to another. Don't hang your head, get back and turn it into a positive. If something bad happens, it's usually your fault (the point guard). I'm supposed to be the leader, because I direct how things are going; the tempo and flow of the game."
Rutledge said that Barnes has given him a longer leash as the years have gone by. That's a good thing, because no player wants to think he has to play perfect to stay in a game. That's way too much pressure in what already is a pressure-packed game.
"He (Barnes) is way more patient," Rutledge said. "When I was young (freshman and sophomore) I would make a mistake and come right out. He gives you leeway because I've been through the experience."
"I'm more patient with juniors and seniors than I am with young guys," Barnes admitted. "Seniors have earned their time and Matt has done that. I do give seniors especially a little longer rope."
It takes an unselfish person to play point guard the right way. You truly have to think about others and sacrifice yourself for the good of the team. Rutledge, who averages around six assists a game, has done that for four years for the Senators.
"Stats don't jump out at you," Barnes said. "That's what jumps out at you about Matt. He does a lot that doesn't show up on a stat sheet and that's what makes him a good point guard. He's not a stat guy, he's a team guy.
"His assist to turnover ratio has been very good. He does a good job of letting things come to him. He doesn't have as many unforced errors. Young players tend to force the action. He lets things happen."
That doesn't mean that Rutledge can't score. He has confidence in his shooting ability, and he's knocked down a few jump shots this season. He looks at himself as a secondary option, preferring to get the ball to teammates Brian Barnes and Paul Cagle III, the Senators' top two scorers.
"He has the green light when he feels the shot is there," Barnes said. "If he feels he can get something off the dribble... he starts the play."
And, that's the way Rutledge likes it. He likes the responsibility and pressure that comes with it.
"I have the ball 95 percent of the time," he said. "I dictate how we play. I wouldn't want to put that on anybody else.
"I'm very confident every time I let it go, I feel like it's going in. It's defense first, running the team and then scoring. When everybody (the starters) is scoring between nine and 15 points that's when we're at our best."
Rutledge is a strong leader because of his work ethic and knowledge. Barnes wouldn't mind him being a little more vocal.
"He leads by example," the CHS coach said. "He goes about his business. He expects that others will too. He keeps his composure in the game, and he has the respect of his teammates."
One thing that has eluded Rutledge and other seniors on the current Carson squad is a berth in the 4A playoffs. A couple of years ago, Carson and North Valleys tied for fourth place and needed a one-game playoff to determine the final playoff spot. Carson lost that game.
"Our goal is definitely to make the playoffs," Rutledge said. "The last couple of years we always seem to lose one game we should have won. Last year it was South Tahoe and the year before that Damonte Ranch.
"We have to win them all at home and steal a couple on the road (to make the playoffs). Winning league games on the road is always tough."
Carson failed to protect its home court last week Galena, and Rutledge & Co. would like nothing better than to knock off Douglas tonight.
- Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling 775 881-1281