Entering his second season of rebuilding the Pacific men’s basketball program, Head Coach Tim Cleary maintains that wins and losses are not the only barometers of progress.
“Our philosophy is to improve every step of the way,” Cleary said. “As we enter our second year we have definitely seen that. We have a lot of youth, so you’ll see that we are still a work in progress. But from a pure talent standpoint and from a size and depth standpoint, we’re further along than we were last year.”
Much of that change comes from a talented recruiting class that, from top to bottom, may be the most talented Pacific has landed in nearly a decade and will readily build from a 4-21 finish last year. That class includes four former all-state selections, topped by David Berney (Jr., Eugene, Ore.) and Joey Burns (Fr., Hermiston, Ore.). Of the team’s nine players, all come into the program with no less than all-conference credentials.
The recruiting class also brings size, which will allow the Boxers to be a much bigger presence on defense. Last year’s roster featured only two players taller than 6-foot-3. This year four, all from the incoming recruiting class, stand above that threshold.
More important is that both the newcomers and the team’s seven returners have bought into Cleary’s system and a love for the game that pushes them to continually improve. “We need guys with ability, but we really wanted to place a point of emphasis on guys who love the game,” Cleary said. “They’re always thinking about it and always thinking about trying to get better when we’re not nessesarily around them all of the time.”
Over the early going, that desire to improve has translated to a better brand of basketball on the floor. The newcomers have been pulled along by the likes of Andrew Beatty (Sr., Lynnwood, Wash.), Charles Mosley (Jr., Hillsboro, Ore.) and Colin Wester (Jr., Sherwood, Ore.), all of whom have stepped up in their leadership roles. The combination should make Pacific a better team in 2011-12.
“A lot of our growth is thanks to our veterans because they’ve gone through the system once themselves,” Cleary said. “From a detail standpoint, they know what to expect and know what we are trying to accomplish. Anytime you start the season there is going to be some rust and some new things to put in, but the effort and the intensity has been great.”
GUARDS/WINGS
For the second year, the Boxers will turn to Beatty to handle the primary point guard duties. Starting 24 of the Boxers’ 25 games, Beatty averaged 7.4 points per game and was among the Northwest Conference’s leaders in assists, averaging 2.48 assists per contest. While more natural passer than shooter, Beatty could still score it when needed, coming up with a season-high 13 points against Puget Sound on Jan. 28.
“What we’re most excited about with Andrew is his leadership,” Cleary said. “He’s not afraid to speak up and has developed into our vocal leader on the floor. He’s a cagy veteran who understands what we want.”
Returner Cameron Hayes (So., Milton, Wash.) and newcomer Coby Proctor (Fr., Sublimity, Ore.) will handle most of the back-up duties at the point, though Wester will also see some minutes at the position. Hayes saw significant minutes in his freshman campaign and four starts during the first third of the season. He finished the year averaging 3.1 points per game. Proctor was a Second Team Oregon 4A All-State selection at Stayton High School in senior season, averaging 21 points per game. A talented all-around athlete, Proctor also an all-state football player and participated in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game.
Pacific will have to make some adjustment at shooting guard with the unexpected absence of Carson Bartlett (Sr., St. Helens, Ore.). The expected starter at the position, Bartlett suffered the second knee injury of his Pacific career on the first day of practice and was lost for the season. Bartlett was the Boxers' second leading scorer last year, averaging 13.5 points and five rebounds per contest.
"Anytime you lose a player and person like Carson it is a big blow," Cleary said. "Not only from playing standpoint, but also because of his presence and his leadership. He will be missed."
With Bartlett gone, Wester leads the list at the shooting guard position after finishing the 2010-11 season as one of the team’s top scorers. Averaging 12.5 points per game in 25 games, Wester ranked seventh in the NWC with 1.32 steals per game and was among the league’s top-10 in free throw shooting. He led the Boxers by hitting 79.4 percent of his charity shots. He posted one of the best scoring performances in school history towards the end of the season, pouring in 37 against Willamette on Feb. 5.
Cleary is excited by the fact that Wester is only getting better as a junior, maturing in all aspects of the game. “Colin has really taken a step forward in the mental aspect of the game,” Cleary said. “This year is a lot more solid with his understanding of the system. We’re expecting a lot from him and think that he has potential to be an impact player in the league.”
Burns and Leland Devlin (Fr., Phoenix, Ariz.) will also see significant minutes at the shooting guard. Burns was a Second Team 5A All-State selection at Hermiston High School and the Columbia River Conference Player of the Year after averaging 20.4 points per game. He led the Bulldogs to an appearance in the Oregon state playoffs.
“Joey brings a different dimension to our game because he can create his own shot, which will help on the backside of our offenses,” Cleary said. “He has quick feet and is a very good player.”
Devlin was a honorable mention all-state selection in Arizona, averaging 15 points per game in his senior campaign. A prolific three-point shooter, Devlin will be depended upon for an outside shooting spark off the bench.
Berney, one of two junior transfers to join the program this year, will be an immediate impact player at the wing position. Berney comes to Pacific after one year at the University of Portland, where his career with the Pilots was stunted by an off-season knee injury prior to his freshman season. The Class 4A Player of the Year in 2008 for Marist High School, Berney was named the state tournament’s most valuable player after breaking the tournament’s scoring record.
A naturally left-handed player, Berney has the potential to be a game-changer. “He’s a guy who is just really steady,” Cleary said. “He doesn’t try to force much. He tries to read the defense and when he’s open he can make shots. If he has an angle, he can drive to the basket.”
Ernesto Mayz (Jr., Caracas, Venezuela) returns after missing the 2010-11 season with a broken foot. Mayz transferred to Pacific after stops at Portland CC and Cascade College, leaving Cascade after the school closed following the 2008-09 academic year. Mitch Wettig (Fr., Bend, Ore.) was a first team all-league selection after averaging 15.5 points per game while leading Summit High School to the 5A state playoffs.
FORWARDS
While the Boxers have certainly added size, they will still play undersized in at least one of the two forward positions. Mosley returns and has been the surprise of the preseason thanks to some intense offseason work. Mosley played a reserve role for much of the season, but started six of the last eight games of the season. He averaged 4.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.
Mosley stands the chance of earning the starting role, however, thanks to that hard offseason training. “He’s worked really hard to improve his game,” Cleary said. “He has worked to get physically stronger, even though he has always been a pretty strong guy. He has really taken his game to another level.”
Luke Oldenkamp (Fr., Tillamook, Ore.) and Trenton Dixon (Fr., Powder Valley, Ore.) will back-up Mosley at the small forward. Oldenkamp was a Oregon 4A All-State selection for Tillamook High School and is returning to competitive basketball after two years in community college. Dixon was a four-time all-league selection and averaged no less than 20 points per game in any high school season.
Dustin Bowser (Jr., Bellingham, Wash.) brings size and experience to the power forward post. Boswer comes to Pacific after two seasons of community college ball, most recently at Whatcom Community College. Like Oldenkamp, Boswer is returning to the game after a year off, but came to Forest Grove in game shape.
“He provides a good presence in the middle for us because he is long,” Cleary said. “He’s a good athlete and he not only has the ability to score the ball, but he is a good passer as well.”
Mark Eppinger (Fr., Camas, Wash.) was also a two-time all-league selection in high school and give the Boxers another skilled player in the post. Eppinger averaged 12 points per game in his senior campaign. “He’s a multi-dimensional player who will get thrown into the fire from day one,” Cleary said. “He will play significant minutes right away.”
Robby Babek (Sr., Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.) returns for his senior season and will be counted on for his leadership. Babek came off the bench in 22 games and had a season high seven points in the season opener against Portland Bible.
