Great Expectations
Mix of Experience and Talent Gives Men’s Basketball a Chance to Three-Peat
The 2005-06 Bellevue CC Men’s Basketball team surpassed many expectations on their way to a second consecutive North Division title, and a sixth place finish at the 2006 NWAACC tournament. With the departure of several key players, including NWAACC North Division First Team Josh Lostlen, and North Division MVP Bryce Daub (now at Central Washington University), it would be reasonable to expect the 2006-2007 season to be a rebuilding effort. The Bulldogs see things a little differently. With a much improved group of returning sophomores, as well as an outstanding influx of new talent, Head Coach Jeremy Eggers expects this year’s team to compete for a third straight North Division title.
At a level where player turnover is especially high, BCC has been blessed with an especially committed group of sophomores, who have worked hard to improve in the off-season. Leading the way are two starters from the 05-06 team, Jordan Ard and Paul Brockman.
A 6-5 forward from Prairie High School (’05) in Vancouver, Washington, Ard returns to the Bulldogs having added 15 pounds of muscle and an improved perimeter game. A crafty finisher around the basket with good ball skills, Jordan presents all kinds of match-up problems for opposing teams, in that he can go by bigger, slower post players, and post up smaller defenders. Brockman (Snohomish High School, ’04) is most easily recognized as the older brother of University of Washington sophomore forward Jon Brockman, but has been hard at work making a name for himself at the Community College level. At 6-4 with a strong build, Brockman’s appearance belies his abilities on the perimeter. An outstanding three point shooter, Paul also rebounds his position extremely well and has worked hard at taking the ball to the basket and posting up smaller perimeter players.
Four more sophomores who played limited minutes last season return for Bellevue, and all four are vastly improved from a year ago.
David Grant, a 2005 graduate of Roosevelt High School in Seattle, has developed into a dangerous scorer in the post. At 6-6 with great touch around the basket, David has made tremendous strides in developing his post moves, and has also shown an ability to shoot the ball if left alone on the perimeter. After an injury plagued freshman campaign, the Bulldogs expect big things from Grant in 2006-07.
Remarkable strides have been made by guard Shea Frazee (Redmond High School, ’05) in preparation for the 2006-07 season. Shea played in only a few games in ’05-’06, but was able to turn his frustration into motivation in the off-season. A deadly shooter from the perimeter, Frazee dropped 10 pounds and has come back in outstanding physical shape. The Bulldogs will look to Shea to help stretch zones and open up the floor with his ability to shoot the basketball.
Two guards round out the returning sophomore class: Marcus Fermon (Bothell High School, ‘05), and Brent Myles (Dorsey High School, CA, ’03). Fermon was the team’s top defensive player in the ’05-’06 season, and in spite of playing limited minutes, was frequently called upon to guard the opponent’s best player at key moments. Myles has been a vocal leader in his time at BCC, frequently inspiring teammates to raise their level of play. Both he and Fermon have improved their ball skills, shooting, and decision making in the off-season, and provide the Bulldogs with valuable experience in the backcourt.
As much as the returning players have improved, they will still be challenged by coach Eggers’ most exciting recruiting class yet. An uncommonly talented mix of strong post players, quick perimeter players, and solid shooters will strengthen the Bulldogs at every position.
A number of players should be able to make an immediate impact for Bellevue on the perimeter:
6-1 guard Toussaint Tyler Jr. out of Kentwood High School in Kent, WA brings a wealth of athleticism and talent to the BCC backcourt. Tyler has an uncanny ability to attack the rim and switch gears on the fly, and has surprised the coaching staff with his perimeter shooting and passing ability. His biggest asset, however, is the effort he puts out, as he never seems to stop running. The Bulldogs will look for “TJ” too make an immediate impact at both guard positions.
Steve Wiseley comes to Bellevue after a prolific career at Kirkland’s Lake Washington High School, where he averaged better than 22 points per game as a senior. An incomparable shooter from deep, Wiseley has shown that he can play-make at the point guard position as well. At 5-8 he is consistently matched up against taller guards, a situation he takes full advantage of on the offensive end with his quickness and ball skills. BCC will look for Steve to provide scoring and leadership at both the point and off-guard.
Sophomore transfer Luke Hammond (Mountlake Terrace High School, ’05) is the most experienced point guard in the group of new players. Having played at The Evergreen State College in Olympia during 2005-06, Luke was a starter, and his experience at the point will be invaluable to the Bulldogs this season. He has a well-rounded skill set, as he is not only a good play-maker and floor general, but also a capable shooter and a strong defender.
Three new post players cement an already strong front line for Bellevue, and should help give the Bulldogs a formidable presence on the block.
Josh Monagle, a 6-5 forward, starred at South Kitsap High School in 2005-06. Averaging better than 14 points and 9 rebounds per game for the Wolves, Josh was a powerful offensive weapon on a team that lost only 2 games all year, and finished 3rd at the 4A State Tournament. With a strong body and great footwork, Josh continues to work on his mid-range game, and should be in the mix on the front-line for BCC.
Part of a remarkable 4-year turnaround at Cascade High School in Everett, 6-4 forward Sean Carter is already showing himself to be one of the top athletes on the team. Carter possesses an uncanny ability on the glass, frequently rising above taller players to snatch away rebounds. With a strong body, long arms, and excellent instincts, Sean’s upside is tremendous, and the Bulldogs are excited about what he will be able to contribute.
6-8 Nate Shekeryk from Inglemoor High School rounds out the ’06 recruiting class, and is perhaps Bellevue’s most dominant post threat. At over 300 pounds Nate is difficult to push off the block, but it’s his footwork and passing ability that have the coaches excited at BCC. In the early going, Nate has shown an ability to see the floor well, and has a good sense of when and where to attack the basket. He rarely gets out of control, and has good timing and touch on his post moves. The Bulldogs will look for Nate to be a strong contributor in the middle this season.
Several other players have also committed to BCC this off-season, and will likely spend the year practicing with the team in preparation for next season:
Guard Curron Singleton joined the team in the early fall. A teammate of Toussaint Tyler’s at Kentwood High School, Curron will red-shirt this season for Bellevue. Post Randy Bolick (Timpanogos High School, Utah), and perimeter players Steven Hunt (E.V.C Academy), and Jake Fields (Kentview High School) have also joined the 2006-07 Bulldogs. All three players will red-shirt this season and practice with the team, although they will all be eligible to play if necessary.
The 2006-07 BCC Men’s Basketball Team has a roster loaded with size, speed, skill, and athleticism. Coach Eggers and his staff (assistant coaches Bryan Brown, Chuck Williams and Matt Airy) are looking forward to seeing just how far the team can go. With the right blend of experience and talent, the sky is the limit for the 2006-2007 Bulldogs.
BCC will host two home scrimmages, the first on October 30th versus Centralia Community College, and the second on November 10th at the Bellevue CC Jamboree (featuring 11 other NWAACC schools). The regular season begins in earnest on November 17th in Olympia with a visit to South Puget Sound Community College. The Bulldogs’ home opener against Pierce College is slated for December 2nd, and North Division play begins on January 3rd when the Bulldogs host Whatcom Community College. For complete schedules, rosters, and game recaps, visit www.bcc.ctc.edu/athletics. Go Bulldogs!
Images provided by JEFF HINDS PHOTOGRAPHY
www.jeffhinds.com
Last Updated November 1, 2013
