SAINTS TELL THEIR STORIES

The Saints have been working hard on the court, and each Mt. Hood men’s basketball player has an amazing story to share.

As of Feb. 28, MHCC stood third in the South Division of the Northwest Athletic Conference at 9-4, with an overall season record of 13-11.

With three regular seasons games remaining, the Saints ranked No. 7 out of 34 teams in the most recent poll of the league’s coaches. They hope to make the NWAC championship tournament that starts March 17 at Everett Community College near Seattle.

Freshman Nymier Brooks has goals that the team is striving for this season, and he hopes to focus on the present, he said. The 6-foot-8-inch forward says practices are going well, and he loves the atmosphere of MHCC, as well. He is from Philadelphia and attended Simon Grant High School and then Kofa Freedom Academy there for two years.

Brooks said he loves the joy of playing basketball and enjoys the stress relief the sport provides. One of the favorite places he has traveled to for basketball is Atlanta. He looks forward to getting better, being stable, and growing in the sport.

It’s also Xavier Betancourt’s first year at MHCC. The 6-foot-3-inch guard is a sophomore from Tampa, Florida, where he played basketball for two years at Freedom High School.

Betancourt arrived at Mt. Hood last September and said his favorite thing about Mt. Hood and playing on the team is the Saints’ coaching staff – led by Head Coach Nate Bowie – and the brotherhood of the players and their relationships.

FROM FAR AND NEAR

Aaron Badibo is from London, England, and moved to Oregon in October 2020. The sophomore is in his second year at MHCC, after attending Sheridan College in Wyoming.

Now, one of his goals for this basketball season is to win the NWAC championship, as well as transfer to a university afterwards.

“I’m looking forward to new school after (the NWAC) playoffs,” said Badibo, a 6-foot-3-inch guard. He said he enjoys communicating with the team as a family. “It makes it easier to win games.” Jonathan Claxton, a 6-foot-8-inch post player, is in his second year at Mt. Hood, although he is only a freshman. His favorite thing about MHCC and being on the team is “being able to play basketball with a bunch of cool people,” he said.

Claxton grew up in Portland and went to Roosevelt High School. Off the court, he loves drawing and going on hikes. He’s excited for the upcoming NWAC championships and the opportunities more games will bring to the table.

For Patrick Lanipekun, practices are also pretty fun and the team is on the same page, he said. He enjoys practices and the unity when everyone pulls together.

Lanipekun, a 6-foot-4inch guard, moved from London, England to Oregon in August 2021, having attended the City of London Academy. He is a sophomore in his first year on the Saints; he studied at the University of Colorado’s Colorado Springs campus for two years, and

played basketball one year there, as well. Off the court, he loves to watch movies and TV shows and listen to music, while he looks forward to transferring to continue his studies after he graduates with his Associate’s Degree.

TRANSPLANTS TAKE ROOT

Mt. Hood is a long way from home for Seven Ferguson, as well, who moved from Miami, Florida, a few weeks before school started last September. This is the first year on the team and at MHCC for the freshman guard, who also stands at 6-foot-4-inches.

His favorite thing about MHCC is playing on the team, as well as the scenery (of the campus) and a new experience, said Ferguson. He’s excited to “potentially winning the championship and finishing the school year,” he said.

Away from basketball, Ferguson also enjoys shoes and other fashions. He hopes to finish this year with a high GPA, as well as apply for scholarships, while he plans to play on the team again next year.

Jahville Collins came to Mt. Hood from the Los Angeles area in California about three years ago. The 6-foot-4-inch guard is playing in his third year at MHCC – as is 6-foot-11-inch Saints center Alex Rentsch – both due to COVID-era eligibility extensions.

In his free time, Collins said he enjoys hiking with his dogs and going to the beach. His goal is an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) degree although he’s not quite sure just where yet, and enjoying his time at MHCC and looking forward to whatever comes.