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Photo by Brett Stanley/The Advocate
Above:The men’s team hosted the Warner Pacific Boxers last Saturday at home. The Saints travel to Pendleton Saturday to play the Blue Mountain Community College Timberwolves.
Men's team survive series of preseason injuries
The Advocate
A scrimmage with Warner Pacific last weekend was an opportunity for the MHCC’s men’s basketball team to grow while missing some key players to injuries and sickness.
“Saturday was an interesting game,” said Head Coach Geoff Gibor. “I thought we played pretty hard. We still had some problems getting into our offensive sets. Some of that was due to Pacific's press. I thought we got going a little too fast at times. We did a good job rebounding the ball. Overall, we did a good job.”
Right now the Saints are missing five players, including starters Jamar Johnson, Chris Weitzel, Garret Strausburg and Andre Norman.
“We are expecting to have Jamar back this weekend. Weitzel is still up in the air. Garrett has mono. So, he will most likely be out until after Thanksgiving. Andre and John (Johnson) will probably redshirt with their shoulder injuries,” said Gibor.
“Practices have been really good this week,” Gibor said. “I think the guys are getting excited to get the real games underway. We have really been drilling our defensive concepts. If we can learn to be a solid defensive team, we could be pretty good. It is difficult to get everyone on the same page with our team defense. We have also focused on team unity, rebounding and toughness. These guys are all working hard and improving everyday.
“We are really working toward getting our intensity level up for practices,” the coach said. “We think if we can play hard everyday in practice, it will transfer into intense game play. As the season progresses and we are more comfortable with our sets, we will do more individual skill development.”
The Saints start their preseason Saturday against the Blue Mountain Community College Timberwolves at 4 p.m. in Pendleton.
“I expect us to play with energy,” said Gibor. “We have a good opportunity this weekend to show what we have been working on. We want to execute and get out in transition.”
Gibor said the Saints will travel to Walla Walla Community College for a Dec. 4-5 tournament. On Saturday, the Saints play Big Bend Community College followed by a game against Walla Walla CC the next day.
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