2010 Season Preview
November 25, 2009
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Men's
| 2008-09 Record - Overall - Conference Location: Spokane, WA Head Coach: Jim Hayford (Azusa Pacific '89) Gym (cap.): Whitworth Fieldhouse (1620) Conference: NWC Region: West Team Page |
But can the Pirates, picked first in the NWC preseason poll and ranked 16th in the preseason D3hoops.com top-25 poll, take the next step? Can Whitworth be a team that not only qualifies for the postseason regularly, but advances deep into the tournament? This may be the year to find out.
Whitworth comes into 2009-10 with perhaps its deepest and most talented squad during Jim Hayford’s nine seasons of coaching the Pirates. Whitworth returns three starters and several key reserves from last winter and also welcomes a pair of talented transfer players and a strong class of incoming freshmen.
“The new people to our program need to learn our system and we are counting on them,” said Hayford (163-52 in eight years at Whitworth). “Time will tell if they’re able to pick things up sooner rather than later.”
Whitworth has always been known for its stingy defense, strong rebounding and efficient offense during Hayford’s tenure. Not surprisingly the Bucs led the Northwest Conference in scoring defense, team field goal percentage, field goal percentage defense and rebound margin a year ago.
“We want to build on that tradition and add to it with greater balance in scoring and increased depth this year,” said Hayford.
Hayford believes he will have a rotation of nine or ten regular players this year, allowing him greater flexibility and resiliency during the grueling NWC schedule, not to mention one of the tougher non-conference slates in school history.
“We will get a good idea quickly if we are in that rare air of elite teams in division III,” said Hayford.
Whitworth is scheduled to open the season against Wisconsin-Stevens Point (10th, D3hoops.com) at the Puget Sound Tip Off Classic. The Pirates will be part of the Lopata Classic, hosted by two-time defending national champion Washington University (Mo.), with a first round meeting with Pomona-Pitzer – one of the favorites in the SCIAC. In late December the Bucs will host both Wisconsin-Stout and Wisconsin-Whitewater (13th, D3hoops.com).
Whitworth has been picked first in the 2009 Northwest Conference preseason poll, picking up eight of nine possible first place votes. The NWC will be as tough as ever with traditional power Puget Sound (18th D3hoops.com) looking to defend its regular season title and strong programs like Lewis & Clark and Willamette always posing a challenge. And up-and-coming teams like Linfield, Whitman and Pacific are ready to break through as well.
Returnees:
The group of returnees is led by David Riley (6-5, Jr., F, Palo Alto, Calif. / Gunn), who was a First Team All-NWC honoree last season after leading the Pirates by scoring 16.4 points per game. He is a dangerous three-point shooter who ranked second in the NWC in both three-point accuracy (.467) and three-pointers made (3.00) per game in 2009. Only one other player in the conference was in the top ten in both categories. He continues to improve his defense and rebounding as well.
Nate Montgomery (6-8, Sr., P, Sammamish, Wash. / Eastlake) has a chance to be one of the most dominating big men in division III this season. He averaged 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest last year and had eight double-doubles, the second highest total in the conference. Over the course of four games during last season’s conference and national tournament run, Montgomery averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Clay Gebbers (6-1, Jr., G, Brewster, Wash. / Brewster) moved into the starting lineup midway through the NWC schedule last season and the Pirates went 8-1 down the stretch. A tough defender, Gebbers does all the necessary little things to be successful. He averaged 4.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game a year ago.
Bo Gregg (6-5, Sr., F, Lewiston, Idaho / CC of Spokane) gives Whitworth great flexibility on the perimeter and inside. He averaged 7.0 points and 3.1 rebounds while starting 16 games last season and can shoot from three-point range (.438) as well as work inside for tough shots.
Jordan Call (6-3, So., G, Kirkland, Wash. / Juanita) gained more and more playing time last year as he became accustomed to the Pirates’ system. He ended up playing in 19 games, including three post season contests.
Felix Friedt (6-8, So., P, Dusseldorf, Germany / Humboldt-Gymnasium) continues to develop the skills necessary to be a successful big man in the NWC. He appeared in 19 games last winter and averaged 3.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Mike Odland (6-4, Sr., F, Seattle, Wash. / Roosevelt) and Michael Taylor (6-8, So., F, Aspen, Colo. / Aspen) give the Pirates solid depth along the front line. Odland played in 13 games and Taylor in 10 games last year.
Ben Iddins (6-1, RS So., G, Clinton, Wash. / Kamiak) has battled injuries throughout his career at Whitworth and the Pirate coaches are hopeful to get a full season from Iddins in 2009-10.
Transfers –
Eric Beal (5-11, Sr., G, Spokane, Wash. / Concordia University [Calif.]) is the heir apparent to take over for the graduated Ross Nakamura at point guard. Beal spent last season as a key back up for NAIA power Concordia University–Irvine after two successful seasons leading the Community Colleges of Spokane. He was a First Team All-NWAACC selection after leading the Sasquatch to the NWAACC title game in 2008. At North Central High School he was the Greater Spokane League Player of the Year as a senior in 2006.
Jack Loofburrow (6-6, So., F, Yakima, Wash. / Eastern Washington University) played in 14 games at Eastern Washington in 2007-08 after redshirting the previous season. As a senior at Eisenhower High School he was the Big 9 Player of the Year after leading the Cadets to the regular season and district titles. A strong shooter and athletic rebounder, he can play anywhere along the front line for the Pirates.
Freshmen –
Wade Gebbers (5-11, Fr., G, Brewster, Wash. / Brewster) averaged 21.0 points per game and was named the WIBCA 1A State Player of the Year as a senior. He joins older brother Clay as a member of the Pirates after leading BHS to a fourth place finish at the state tournament.
Chase Ramey (5-11, Fr., G, Spokane, Wash. / Northwest Christian) is a two-time State B Player of the Year (Seattle Times) after leading the Crusaders to four straight state championships during his high school career.
Mack Larkin (6-4, Fr., F, Anacortes, Wash. / Anacortes) was a very pleasant surprise to Hayford this fall and has made the team as a walk on after earning First Team All-Northwest League honors as a senior.
The season will get underway on November 20th and 21st when the Pirates play UWSP and UC Santa Cruz at the UPS Tip Off Classic.
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