ALWAYS US

By Brandon Petersen

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

Robert Frost's famous poem, "The Road Not Taken" is a metaphor for adversity. It speaks to the notion that those who go through the most in life, often find themselves much stronger for having gone through it, and having experienced a far more rewarding journey in the end.

In life, it's a rare story – a human who appreciates the struggle.

In sports, it's even more rare – teams that face the level of setbacks the Westcliff men's basketball team did in 2024-25 often fold and rarely flourish.

In basketball, it's almost impossible – the game is riddled with self-promotion and self-preservation, and often, when the going gets tough, the tough find the nearest exit.

But sometimes in sports, when adversity hits the right type of team, instead of a crushing blow, it births a crusade.

The Warriors collected their second Cal Pac championship in three years Sunday at UC Merced, where, for the second time in three years, the Dubs upset the Bobcats in the title round.

After losing twice to Merced and being embarrassed by the Bobcats on their home floor on Sr. Night, the Warriors rallied around each other, called upon their collective, battle-hardened strength, and led practically wire-to-wire in a magnificent 64-53 win.

"Wow, what a year," Westcliff head coach Jerred Cook said. "All the adversity the guys have been through. You talk about the heart of this team – 'strength in numbers' is an easy way to say it – never did I feel that we didn't have the talent. But our mantra just kept coming back into play every time.

"They believe in each other. 'Sometimes you. Sometimes me. Always us.' The guys truly like each other and it shows in the way they uplift each other. In the way they hold each other accountable. In the way that they compete for each other. Ultimately, I think that's why we got the win.

"The other side of it is, of course, playing a team two times and coming up short – especially getting embarrassed at home on Sr. Night – it definitely stuck with the guys."

Cook said Merced's lopsided haul at the conference awards banquet planted a chip firmly on his team's shoulder.

After the Warriors came out swinging and asserted their dominance early, the Bobcats weren't ready to go on a run.

"In my opinion, (UC Merced) didn't want to play from behind," Cook said. "They weren't a team that wanted to score a lot of points. They're biggest thing is stopping their opponent from scoring."

While the Warriors were lethally efficient, shooting 33% from range and 82% from the stripe, the Bobcats struggled to score, shooting 2-of-19 from three, and just 28% from the field.

Cook said the game plan going in was to lock up Merced's scorers and to make the supporting cast carry the load.

And, oh, by the way, it turns out the Warriors did have their eyes on the championship at the end of the regular season.

"I think when you're going into postseason play, you always wanted to have something in your back pocket, something you can switch up, so you're not easily scouted," Cook said. "Those two games, we didn't hold back, we went into those games fully expecting to win. Did I show my full deck of cards? Not at all.

"We knew that, if our cards played the right way, ultimately it would come down to (UC Merced) in the finals. We wanted to be prepared, but we also wanted them to be surprised. We weren't going to give them the upper hand."

Westcliff's guards handled most of the scoring, with Jeramiah Paulino (four rebounds) providing a team-high 18, and Micaiah Hankins (five rebounds) close behind at 17.

Rayven Turner, meanwhile, turned in 11 and five steals.

Evan Hoosier was good for six and nine, and a pair of steals, and Marques Sales came off the bench for eight and six.

Cook credited his coaching staff with creating the right looks offensively.

"Our game plan was very high level, and credit the guys for buying in," Cook said. "We added new sets offensively. We knew how they wanted to defend us, so we countered it. Defensively, we made some changes in terms of how we wanted to extend our pressure.

"I think we were able to force them into some uncomfortable positions that they haven't really been in in 2025. Forcing their playmakers into turnovers, forcing guys that usually don't have to make shots, to make shots."

Now the Warriors will prepare for their second-ever trip to the NAIA national tournament.

Two years ago, Westcliff gave the overall No. 1 seed, College of Idaho, all it could handle in the first round.

This time the Warriors plan on sticking around longer.

Cook says the Warriors are not the typical 15 or 16 seed, and that after taking on and defeating quality Division 2 teams early in the year, the Warriors are ready to make a deep run at nationals.

As for ending Merced's Cal Pac history without a men's basketball championship, Cook said it all came back to selflessness.

"Our guard corps, Jeramiah, Micaiah, played well, made plays, set guys up," Cook said. "Between those two guys, and the bench effort, when Marq came in, and everyone else came in and contributed.

"Rayven was key for us as well, making plays. Everyone knows he's looking to score, but he actually made some other plays that helped us down the stretch.

"Everyone pitched in, it was a total team effort, and again, it really came down to our mantra."

Sometimes you. Sometimes me. Always us.