George Fox University 2003-04 Men's Basketball Preview ---
NEWBERG, Ore. --- Things are looking up for the George Fox University men's basketball program in 2003-04 - literally.
"This will be the biggest team since I've been here," said head coach Mark Sundquist, who enters his fourth season with the Bruins. "I like our front line; we've added some bigger bodies, a little more height and a little more size. Rebounding has been our Achilles' heel, but now I think we'll be able to rebound with anybody in our league."
If that holds true, the Bruins just might begin to rebound record-wise after going 20-54 in Sundquist's first three seasons with lineups that were decidedly-mismatched, size-wise, against almost all their opponents.
Six Returnees Provide Experience
Six letterwinners return from last year's squad that went 7-18 overall and finished 9th in the Northwest Conference with a 1-15 league mark. That group will provide much-needed experience, but as Sundquist points out, "I still consider us a young team - we're young in age, old in experience!"
Leading the returnees is Honorable Mention All-Conference wing Mark Gayman (6-4, Jr., Hillsboro, Ore. / Glencoe HS), who ranked 7th in the league in scoring (15.7) and 6th in rebounding (7.1).
"The biggest change this season could be having Gayman in a different role," says Sundquist. "Mark often had to play post for us last year and teams keyed on him, but with our larger size this year, we can move him to a true wing position. We won't be as reliant on him alone as we were last year, so there won't be as much pressure on him. He may not get as many points or rebounds as last year, but having him at his more natural position will make us better team-wise, and he has accepted that role as best for the team."
The team's only two seniors, Bryan Wadlow (6-4, Sr., Albany, Ore. / West Albany HS) and Brett Yeager (6-3, Sr., Oakridge, Ore. / Oakridge HS) are also predominantly wing players who have been known to mix it up inside as well. Wadlow averaged 8.6 points and 3.4 rebounds a game, Yeager 6.7 points and 4.0 rebounds, and both will be counted on to take up some of the scoring slack vacated by Nate Tyler, the team's No. 2 scorer (12.8 ppg) who did not return for his senior season due to financial constraints.
"Bryan and Brett stuck with the program through some lean years, and now they're about ready to reap the benefits of a better team," predicts Sundquist. "I expect them both to play a lot and provide us with some outstanding senior leadership."
Aaron Schmick (5-11, So., Hillsboro, Ore. / Century HS) takes over at a shooting guard after averaging 10.0 points a game, 22nd in the NWC, and shooting .503, 9th in the league, off the bench. "Aaron has been terrific in the pre-season," notes Sundquist, "and should continue to be one of the better shooters in the conference this year with his range, ability, and consistency."
Schmick can also run the point, although one of the team's most improved players, Ben Melvin (6-1, So., Pleasant Hill, Ore. / Pleasant Hill HS) will be the likely starter there. He replaces Trevor Person, who led the league in assist/turnover ratio (1.71) and was 3rd in assists (4.44) as a freshman but was unable to return, again for financial reasons.
"Ben really hit the weights hard during the summer, has come back stronger, and is gaining confidence every day," Sundquist remarks. "Trevor did an outstanding job at point in protecting the ball and getting it to the open man, but Ben is actually quicker than Trevor and I am confident that he will do a fine job for us."
Rounding out the list of returnees is Mark Johnson (5-11, So., Tonasket, Wash. / Tonasket HS), who averaged 0.8 points a game in 10 appearances and will provide some quality backup minutes at either wing or point.
Sizeable Newcomers to Help on Boards
It is the newcomers who supply Sundquist with his growing optimism about this year's Bruins. Tops on the list is Scott Szalay (6-7, So., Everett, Wash. / Kamiak HS), a transfer from North Seattle Community College, whose 220-pound bulk should enable him to hold his own among the better rebounders in the league.
"Scott can run the floor, he's a great passer and free throw shooter, and he has the ability to be a very good player for us," says Sundquist. "He is also a smart player who will provide us with some good inside defense."
Chris Parker (6-6, Fr., Aloha, Ore. Aloha HS) is a fundamentally-sound player who "worked harder than anyone else on the team, according to his high school coach," Sundquist comments. "He's trying hard to add some muscle (Parker is 178 pounds), and we'll get him in the weight room next summer, but he should give us some good inside play off the bench even this year."
Ryan Rockwood (6-5, Fr., Silverlake, Wash. / Toutle Lake HS) is another strong 220-pounder with loads of potential. Says Sundquist, "Like Parker, his upside is huge; he has a good mind for the game, and just needs experience."
Providing depth will be wings Matt Hagen (6-4, Fr., Chewelah, Wash. / Jenkins HS) and Jordan Gama (6-3, Fr./, Troutdale, Ore. / Corbett HS). Hagen is a fine shooter who "just needs experience", notes Sundquist, while Gama, who was invited to try out for the team after being spotted in intramurals, is "a good athlete and a great kid, a team-oriented guy who will see minutes here and there."
Summary
"Our versatility could cause other teams some matchup problems this year," comments Sundquist. "We have post players who can also play on the perimeter if we're up against a bigger lineup, or they can post up against smaller teams. Hey, when was the last time we talked about some teams actually being smaller than us?
"We are also trying to become a better defensive team than in the past, and that's what we concentrated on this fall. Last year, we were among the top four or five teams in scoring, but we were dead last in defense, and we want to change that this year.
"Offensively, we are fairly athletic, so we would like to continue to play an up-tempo style. But I think we'll be versatile enough to adjust to whatever the defense throws at us."