Men’s basketball team loaded with depth and experience

After failing to qualify for the NWAACC postseason last winter (11-15 overall, 7-7 in league play), the Mt. Hood men’s basketball team is eager to get back on the court – and into the playoffs.

Last season was tough, as the Saints’ roster thinned due to players’ grades and personal issues, and ended with only one active sophomore.

Now, with seven players returning, Mt. Hood is loaded with experience and is ready to return to the playoffs, following a one-year absence.

Last week the team played in a scrimmage against George Fox University and attended a jamboree tournament.

“It was a good learning experience for us. We still have to evaluate some things, said Geoff Gibor, Saints head coach. “Our expectations this year are to make it to the NWAACCs.”

Gone from this year’s team is last year’s standout, sophomore Colby Mitchell. He averaged 13 points and seven rebounds a game, shot 51 percent from the field and now plays for Division II Western Washington University.

There’s plenty of veteran talent on hand, however.

Gibor expects returning players Mac Johnson, Landon Rushton, Blake Updike and Brock Otis to be impact players this season. As freshmen last season, they all significantly contributed.

Johnson, the Saints’ big man at 6 foot 8 inches, averaged 12 points and seven boards. At point guard, Rushton also played in all 26 games, averaged 11 points and was selected for the Southern Region all-defensive team.

Updike was the team’s best shooter last year. The guard scored nine points per game, shooting 44 percent in three-pointers and 82 percent on free throws. Otis, a swing man, showed hard-nosed defense and intensity and contributed seven points per game.

All four players played a lot of minutes as freshmen last season, racking up more than 500 minutes each.

Gibor can count on some newcomers, as well.

Freshman point guard Kylelle Brown and forward-center Jason Wallace have caught Gibor’s attention, he said. “Kylelle and Jason have good IQ’s for freshmen and (for) understanding our system well.”

The Saints are deep, with 18 players on the roster, the head coach said. “We are good at every position this season, especially point guard.”

Gibor said his team will focus on full-court, man-to-man defense and, on offense, the key will be to work inside-out. “We’re going to spread the floor and create more shots this season. Our offense is designed for a lot of ball picks, and rebounding will be a big key for us.”

The Saints expect their top regional rivals to be Chemeketa and Clackamas community colleges.

Last season, Mt. Hood defeated Chemeketa twice in the regular season, but the Storm ended up winning the NWAACC championship. The Clackamas Cougars won both their matchups against MHCC, one of them with a buzzer-beating three pointer.

Local fans can watch the Saints continue to gear up this weekend: On Saturday at noon, the team hosts Centralia College for a scrimmage.

After that, Mt. Hood plays away games for more than a month, including the Red Devil Classic tournament (Nov. 29-Dec. 1), a Lassen College tournament (Dec. 13-15) and the Portland X-Over (Dec. 20-22). Gibor said the road trips “will help increase our chemistry.”

The Saints play their first regular season game on Nov. 15 in Pendleton against Blue Mountain Community College. The first home regular season game comes on Dec. 28, against Clark College.