Saints ‘Big Three’ have eyes set on NWAACC Championship

Unhappy with a 2012-13 season in which Mt. Hood finished 11-15 overall and failed to qualify for the NWAACC playoffs, returning  players Mac Johnson, Brock Otis, and Landon Rushton vowed to come back stronger and better this winter.

That motivation and effort has paid off, leading to the Saints back to winning ways.

“We have a sense of urgency this year and we want to win it all for sure,” Rushton said. “My other goal is to bring home the South Region title.”

All three players said last season was hard for them and they knew that they needed to come into this season ready to go.

“I was in the weight room this whole off-season,” said Otis. “The way we prepare, we think that we can compete with anyone in the NWAACC (playoffs).”

With seven players returning from last season, Mt. Hood holds high expectations for the new year, and even hopes to grab an NWAACC championship in early March.

Johnson, Otis, and Rushton have stepped up as leaders in their last chase for the title, gaining attention and praise. “All three of these guys have impacted our program in such a positive way,” said Geoff Gibor, the Saints’ head coach. “Especially the way the season went last year. Along with the coaches, they (the team) were not very happy.

“They came into (this) year with a great sense of what we are trying to get done as a team. They have embraced the newcomers and become good leaders… (and) have provided stability,” he said.

The Saints are currently 14-5 overall and have a 3-3 conference record, sitting in fourth place in the South Region. With eight regular season games remaining, playoff hopes remain bright.

Johnson said the three veterans are single-minded, fueling the team’s success. “We’re all unselfish, work hard and we trust each other,” he said.

“We all have the same ultimate goal, and that’s to win,” Otis said.

Johnson said the weight room was a big part of his off-season routine. “I worked hard in the off-season lifting weights and with this season having more guys that have been there (experience wise), it makes it easier for me to be a leader,” he said.

All three players have played in all 16 games so far and the chemistry between them extends beyond the basketball court, they said.

They just like to hang out and have fun whether that’s just “chilling” and doing homework or even going out to eat, they said.  “I don’t know anyone who hates (and) loves me more than these two (Otis and Rushton),” said Johnson.

Gibor has noticed. “They have a trust in one another that stems from spending so much time together…  They understand what each other’s strengths and weaknesses are and work well together,” he said.

Johnson, Otis, and Rushton originally lived in Washington state. MHCC’s big man, Johnson is a Spokane native and attended Gonzaga Prep High School.

“It was a spirit of the moment to come here (MHCC). I liked the campus and the program,” he said.

In his final season, Johnson has been a leader on the court in practice and again come game time. He averages a double-double, at 17 points and 10 rebounds per game, leading the team in both categories.

“I’m a lead-by-example type of player. I am a grunt guy, I just keep my head down and work hard,” said Johnson.

His work ethic and play style has impressed his teammates. “Just his presence in the post has been key for us. We wouldn’t be the same team without him,” said Rushton.

A starting guard at point and the “two” position, Rushton came to Mt. Hood from Olympia, graduating from North Thurston High School.

“I liked the campus and I felt like the program here was family oriented, and financially it worked out well,” Rushton said.

Otis, a 2011 Sam Barlow graduate, previously lived in Everett, near Seattle. But he chose nearby MHCC because it was close to home.

Heading into the heart of the season, the trio believes the Saints’ team defense and rebounding has been strong, but that the squad still must improve on finishing games and maintaining a mental edge at all times.

All three standouts express interest in continuing to play at a four-year university. For now, they are focused on their academics and basketball. Johnson and Rushton are interested in criminal justice and are intrigued by becoming police officers in the future. Otis is undecided but has one eye on business, plus an interest in physical therapy.

“All three of these guys, along with others on this team, will play at the next level (four-year school),” said Gibor. They have great individual skill sets, work hard, and are good students. That is a good recipe for success moving forward.

“They have become the leaders of the team, which will help them at the next level as well,” he said.