Men’s Basketball Preview: Great Expectations
“Last year was the introduction. This year we control our own narrative.” It’s a powerful statement from Westcliff men’s basketball head coach Jerred Cook, not only for its confidence, but also for its accuracy.
By Brandon Petersen
"Last year was the introduction. This year we control our own narrative."
It's a powerful statement from Westcliff men's basketball head coach Jerred Cook, not only for its confidence, but also for its accuracy.
Cal Pac coaches voted Westcliff to place among the middle of the pack this season at fifth overall.
It's fair to note, however, that those same coaches predicted the Warriors to finish dead last a year ago.
But after averaging Cal Pac losses of just 6.5 points — a season in which the Warriors shot 58% from the free throw line — Westcliff finished a win away from postseason play.
This year, with a vaunted recruiting class that features NCAA Division I and II talent, the Warriors should once again exceed Cal Pac expectations, surprising everyone except, of course, those in and around the burgeoning Irvine-based program.
"I expect our team to exceed our preseason rankings and to get better as the season progresses," Cook said. "Our returners will continue to uphold the culture and provide the experience needed to know how to win at this level. Our new players will bring new layers of talent, competitiveness, and skill to add immense value to our program."
Cook says the Warriors expect to not only win the Cal Pac regular season championship, but to win the conference tournament as well, and make a run in the NAIA national championship tournament.
In other words, the expectations are great, and now it's time for the Warriors to live up to them.
Returning to the fold this season are all three of Westcliff's most productive players from a year ago, as well as its team captain and emotional leader — Josh Harrison, Josh Jones, Abdul Abdullah and Adofo Thomas.
Harrison is the hardest worker on the team, and sets the tone by example. A year ago he was unanimously voted first-team All Cal Pac after averaging 19 points a game in conference play.
"His best attribute is his ultra-competitiveness," Cook said. "He is back this season with unfinished business."
Jones (second-team All Cal Pac) provides consistent production from the wings, averaging 14 points on 45% both from the field and range.
Abdullah dominates the blocks with his muscular frame and relentless energy. He led the Cal Pac in rebounding a season ago and got an honorable mention nod.
Thomas is the longest-tenured Warrior, the only player who has been around since the start of the program. Running point, he is the most respected member of the team, and a gritty captain.
"He holds everyone accountable," Cook said. "He has seen the evolution first-hand."
Among a talented group of newcomers joining the program this year are three notable additions: Ray Witt Jr., Gary Harris and Olisa Ngonadi.
Witt, a 6-5 junior guard transfers in from Chaminade and instantly gives the Warriors electric possibilities from range.
"He can fill it up from deep," Cook said. "At his size, with his ball skills and IQ, he's a tough cover and will add needed depth and firepower."
Harris, a 6-6 junior guard/wing, played at both DI Siena and Loyola Marymount and can function well at all three levels.
"His size, speed and ability to play above the rim will add another dimension to our offensive structure," Cook said. "I'm most excited about what he brings on the defensive end. He has the ability to guard multiple positions at a high level."
Ngonadi is a 6-8 forward and another DI transfer (Robert Morris/Georgian Court) who will be trouble down low.
"He adds much needed rim protection and inside scoring," Cook said. "It will be rare to see someone with this much athleticism at our level operating in the paint and around the key."
The Cal Pac docket is formatted differently this year.
Gone is the pod play structure and in its place is a full 20-game schedule — home and away contests against every team in the league.
To prepare, Cook has scheduled five exhibitions with challenging opponents — Idaho State, Cal State Fullerton, Colorado Christian, Colorado School of Mines, and Cal Sate Dominguez Hills.
The Warriors will also face off against the Master's, Vanguard and Dominguez Hills looking for retribution.
"We are looking forward to those grudge matches with our newly improved and upgraded roster," Cook said.
The Warriors start the season Thursday.
They will be thrown straight into the fire against The Master's with a huge opportunity to capture a statement win right out of the blocks.
Tip-off in Santa Barbara is scheduled for 8 p.m.
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Westcliff University
2021-22 Season Record: Conf: 6-7. Overall: 9-13
Top Returners 2020-21 Stats (Conference Stats):
Joshua Harrison 6'3 JR G 17.4 ppg (19ppg) 4.9 Reb., 2.7 Asst.
First Team All-Conference (Unanimous vote)
Joshua Jones 6'6 Jr. G 14 ppg 4.4 Reb. 38.5% 3pt (45% 3pt)
Second Team All-Conference
Abdul Abdullah 6'7 SR F 12.9 ppg (14.2 ppg) 10.1 rpg( 11.2 rpg).
Honorable Mention All-Conference
Cedric Sobers 6'3 SR G 5.8 ppg., 2.7 rpg,1.6 ast
All Defensive team
Marius Ntwari 6'11 Jr. C 7.1 ppg, 4.6 Reb.
Adofo Thomas 6'1 Jr. G 7.9 ppg., 1.8 ast
Key Players Lost (2020-21 Stats):
Jordan Reed 6'0 SR G 4 ppg., 1 ast.
Greg Walter 6'6 SR F 4.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Emilio Quemada 6'3 SR F 1 ppg
Ben Todd 6'10 FR F 3.4 ppg 4.4 rpg (only 10 games played)
Top Newcomers:
Gary Harris 6'6 JR G/Wing D1 transfer (Siena/LMU)
Olisa Ngonadi 6'8 SR Forward/C D1 transfer (Robert Morris/Georgian Court)
Micaiah Hankins 5'11 FR Guard Rancho Christian High School
Callan Low 6'5 SR W/Forward Newberry College (D2)
Justin Boateng 6'6 JR Guard Merritt JC
Ray Witt Jr. 6'5 JR Guard Fisher College/Chaminade
From the Team:
Westcliff University is looking forward to competing in its second-ever conference season. Coming off the No. 1 strength of schedule up until we began conference last season, we will follow up this season with some tough non-conference opponents and are excited to compete outside of pods in a full 20-game conference schedule. Voted preseason last place team season in conference in '21-22, Westcliff finished in 7th place, one game short of making the conference tournament with an average of 6.5pts in their losses.
Returning our top six scorers including the four players that made all conference teams in addition to some impactful transfers, we are looking to make a bigger jump this season both in conference and on the national level. We've increased our talent, length and athleticism with our deepest recruiting class in history. It's a long season, only time will tell what our true identity will become.