Author: Emily Phillips
After several months of pre-season training, the men’s basketball team opened its season Saturday with a challenging on-the-road game at the University of San Diego, which ended with a 91-52 loss to the Division I squad.
However, the Tigers are not discouraged and are ready to claim their place at the top of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) once again.
While they did not earn a spot in post-season play last year, the Tigers were SCIAC champions in both the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons, and played in the NCAA Tournament both years. The 2009-2010 Tigers are setting their sights high and expect to be a force to be reckoned with on the court again this season.
The Tigers have added five first-years to their squad this season, making a total of nine underclassmen players. However, the young team has already begun to bond, and has set a goal of winning SCIAC and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
“This team already seems to have really good team chemistry and everyone gets along and hangs out off the court and seems to know their role on the court,” Sam Stapleton (first-year) said.
“The new guys this year are a welcome addition to the team,” Peter Gierlach (senior) said. “They are all capable of contributing to the team’s success this year and in the future as well.”
DeShun McCoy (first-year) is among those willing to contribute as much as possible. “I really plan to be the best player that my team needs me to be this season,” McCoy said. “If the teams needs a steal, I will become a thief. If we need a rebound, the ball is mine. If we need to get somebody open, then I will do my best to get them open. I really just want to do my part the best it can be done.”
The Tiger squad of 14 is returning three All-SCIAC players, co-captains Sean Anderson (senior), Huston Conti (senior) and Jack Hanley (sophomore), who have all been known to be strong forces on the defensive end and to put points on the board as well.
“All three will add to and improve offensive attack while we continue to be a strong defensive and rebounding team,” Head Coach Brian Newhall was quoted saying on the Oxy athletics Web site.
Seattle natives Hanley and Conti spent their first year of college playing basketball at the University of San Diego and Brandeis University, respectively, before transferring to Occidental to continue their careers. Hanley joined the Tigers midway through last season, bringing his experience at a higher level of competition to the team.
“[Hanley] definitely has the talent of a Division I player. He’s not one to desire attention, so he doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves,” Stapleton said.
After joining the team his sophomore year, Conti took time off from playing basketball competitively while studying abroad in the south of France last season, and his return has been eagerly anticipated by the Tigers.
“Coming back to this team after not being on campus for a year is like a breath of fresh air,” Conti said. “I see all these new freshman and sophomores that I am meeting for the first time and I feel like it is my job to lead these guys and show them how Oxy basketball is supposed to be.”
Similarly, Anderson, a 6′ 10″ forward and multiple SCIAC Player of the Week award winner, also transferred to Occidental his sophomore year after spending his first year playing basketball at the University of California at Riverside.
The team anticipates co-captains Conti and Anderson will both have very productive seasons, as they have dominated both ends of the court in past years and lead by example in practices.
In addition to the three All-SCIAC leaders, Eric Leider (first-year), a 5′ 9″ guard from Las Vegas, is expected to make a big impact on offense for the Tigers this season.
“Look out for Leider . . . he is going to have a really good season this year,” McCoy said.
Gierlach shares the same sentiment. “Although he is diminutive in stature, he can fill it up on the offensive end and is a great player,” he said.
After two upcoming away games, the Tigers will play three consecutive home games, tipping off the first against West Coast Baptist.
Moving forward, they will take on several more Division I teams, including Cal State Fullerton and SMU as a part of their 11-game non-conference preseason before their SCIAC opener against Whittier at home on Jan. 9.
“I’m glad I’m playing one final season with some of my best friends,” Gierlach said. “Hopefully it will be a special season.”
Conti feels confident the season will be a profitable one. “I feel good, I feel ready, I am focused,” he said. “Stay tuned. This year is going to be a fun ride.”
The men’s basketball team’s first home game of the season is on Tuesday, Dec. 1 against West Coast Baptist at 7:30 p.m. in Rush Gym.
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