Young men’s basketball team tests waters at Red Devil Classic

With the MHCC men’s basketball team playing its first regular season game today against the Walla Walla Warriors, head coach Geoff Gibor says he is more than ready to start.

“I am excited for this season,” said Gibor. “This team is very unselfish. They share the ball really well. As they grow and learn exactly what we are asking from them, they will be a very good team.”

This past weekend, the team won once and lost twice in Longview, Wash., at the Red Devil Classic but showed promise for a younger team.

In their first game against Walla Walla Community College, their opponent today, the Saints won 88-73. Sophomore Colby Mitchell contributed 17 points and seven rebounds and freshman Mac Johnson added 17 points with 12 rebounds. The team shot 53 percent for the game, while the Warriors finished with 38 percent.

The team’s first loss was 77-65 to Yakima Valley. Johnson had a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Freshman Landon Rushton added 16 points but the team ended up shooting 35 percent in the loss.

In the Saints’ second loss, to Lower Columbia, they were just barely edged 61-58, shooting 43 percent for the game. Mitchell had 25 points, Johnson had 12 rebounds and Rushton added 12 points and five rebounds.

Before the tournament, Gibor had expectations for a challenging weekend, saying that Walla Walla, Spokane, and Lower Columbia all had competitive teams.

“Every year the first games are a great test. The Red Devil Classic is probably the best tournament we could play in. The teams are all perennially strong teams,” he said.

Gibor said some key team members have played consistently well, mentioning Mitchell, Rushton and Johnson among the leaders.

“Defensively, Colby Mitchell, Brock Otis, Landon Rushton, and Mac Johnson are understanding our style. Offensively, Colby has been very efficient. As a team, we have shot the ball pretty well from the perimeter,” said Gibor.

Chemistry takes time to develop to its full extent and, according to Gibor, it’s no different with this year’s team.

“It will definitely be a learning experience. When you have a young team, it takes time to learn how to play our style and with each other. We are looking forward to the challenges ahead this year,” he said.

Tonight’s game against Walla Walla, on the road, starts at 8 o’clock.

On Saturday, also in Walla Walla, the team plays at 4 p.m. against Big Bend. On Thursday, the team will play its first regular season home game against Wenatchee Valley at 7 p.m.