Oct. 28, 2008

SPOKANE, Wash. -

Central Washington Favored To Win First GNAC Title

2008-09 GNAC Coaches Poll   2007-08  Records  Pts
1. Central Washington (7)   21-7     15-3     86
2. Western Washington (2)   15-12    8-10     61
3. Alaska Anchorage         29-6     16-2     58
4. Seattle Pacific          21-8     12-6     53
5. Northwest Nazarene       17-10     9-9     50
6. Saint Martin's           13-14     8-10    40
7. Western Oregon           15-12     8-10    29
8. Montana State Billings    1-28     1-17    22
9. Alaska Fairbanks          5-22     2-16    17

(Note: First-place votes in parenthesis. Points awarded on 10-8-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis).

Two longtime rivals figure to be the top contenders for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's basketball title this winter.

Central Washington, which hasn't won a conference title in nearly a decade since snagging the 1998-99 PacWest championship, is a solid favorite to win its first GNAC title.

The Wildcats received seven of nine first-place votes and earned 86 ballot points in the annual GNAC Coaches poll.

Arch-rival Western Washington may be the No. 1 obstacle for CWU to end its longest title drought since it went 14 years without a championship between 1951 and 1964.

The Vikings received the two remaining first-place votes and finished second in the balloting with 61 points.

Defending champion Alaska Anchorage placed third in the poll and perennial contender Seattle Pacific, which has won or shared three GNAC titles, ended up fourth in the balloting.

Central Washington is coming off back-to-back near title misses and head coach Greg Sparling returns six of his top seven scorers from a year ago including pre-season All-American Jake Beitinger.

Beitinger averaged 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds last year in earning first team GNAC all-star honors. Also back is guard Matt Penoncello who contributed 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds and was a second team all-star selection.

Sparling did not stand pat, either, adding former Eastern Washington recruit Chris Sprinker, a 6-9 post player who averaged 17.2 points and 11.5 rebounds last season at Tacoma CC, and NWAACC West Region MVP Chris Scott, who led the junior college league in assists (9.5).

Ira Graham, who finished second in the GNAC in scoring (18.5) in earning GNAC first team all-star honors is back to lead a Western Washington squad that also features two other starters - guard Steve Alford, who averaged 10.1 points per game, and forward Calin Schell, who ranked third in rebounding (7.7) and is the conference's top returning rebounder.

Brad Jackson, who begins his 24th season with 409 career wins, also had a solid recruiting class led by seven-foot center Dave Vanderjagt, who played 18 games for the University of Montana the past two seasons.

Alaska Anchorage returns just four letter winners and no starters off a team that made a run to the Final Four, but the Seawolves did add three transfers including guards Kenny Barker and Brandon Walker.

Barker was a second-team all-star two seasons ago at Alaska Fairbanks and Walker played in 28 games at Division I Loyola Marymount.

Jeff Hironaka, who has the best career winning percentage among the nine GNAC head coaches (115-57, .669), has some rebuilding work to do with just one returning starter - 6-8 junior forward Rob Diederichs - among six letter winners. His three top scorers from a year ago who combined for 42 points per game all graduated.

Northwest Nazarene has nine returning letter winners and four starters, as many as any team in the league in both categories. Among the nine are honorable mention GNAC all-star Kendall Gielow, who averaged 13.4 points per game, and Scott Helpenstell, who ranked eighth in the GNAC in rebounding (6.6).

Saint Martin's also returns nine lettermen and four starters including 2007-08 GNAC scoring champion Jake Linton, who averaged 19 points a game in joining Beitinger and Graham on the first team all-star unit.

Also back for the Saints is center Bill Richardson, who ranked eighth in the GNAC in scoring (14.3).

Western Oregon has seven returnees including a trio of double figure scorers in second team all-star Travis Kuhns (13.9 ppg), guard Sam Kelly (11.7 ppg) and forward Mike McLaughlin (10.7 ppg).

Former University of Idaho and Lewis-Clark State coach George Pfeifer takes over at Montana State Billings and has added two former Division I players - Michael Hall from Idaho and Travis Bunker from Wyoming - to a returning nucleus that includes six letter winners. Coach Clemon Johnson begins his second season at Alaska Fairbanks has only four returnees, but two - forwards Colin Matteson (13.9 ppg) and Mladen Begojevic (11.4 ppg) - averaged in double figures last season. Among his recruits are two former Division I guards.

The exhibition season tips off Friday with Northwest Nazarene playing at Utah State.

The first official games are Friday, Nov. 7 as Alaska Anchorage opens play in the Disney West Coast Tip-Off tournament in Anaheim and Saint Martin's begins its season in the Disney East Coast Tip-Off tournament in Orlando, Fla.

AROUND THE GNAC: Linton won three GNAC statistical titles and one national title a year ago. In addition to leading the conference in scoring (19.0), he was the conference leader in three-pointers made (2.93) and the conference and national leader in free throw percentage (96.4), making 162 of 168. . .Returning special award winners from last season are Beitinger, who was voted the Newcomer-of-the-Year and Saint Martin's forward Blake Poole, who was the GNAC Freshman-of-the-Year. . .Six of last year's Top 10 scorers return led by Linton, Graham (2nd), Beitinger (5th), Richardson (8th), Penoncello (9th) and Kuhns (10th). But, just three of the Top 10 rebounders (Schell at No. 3, Helpenstell at No. 8 and Beitinger at No. 10) are back. . .CWU returns two 2007-08 conference stat champions - guard Johnny Spevak in steals (1.74) and forward Brandon Foote in three-point percentage (53.1). . .Spevak is one of the nation's leading NCAA Division II pass receivers (ranking second in both receptions and yards) and won't be available to the Wildcats until the end of the football season which could be as late as Dec. 13. . .Central Washington is ranked seventh by the Sporting News in their pre-season Division II poll. Three GNAC players were named to the publications pre-season All-American team. Beitinger was a second team selection while Barker and Linton were honorable mention selections.

TEAM CAPSULES

CENTRAL WASHINGTON
Head Coach:  Greg Sparling, Central Washington '93 (220-149, 13 years)
Assistants:  G.E. Coleman,  Karl Albrecht, Chris Bannish
Student Assistant: Jason Buffum
2007-08 Record:  21-7
Conference: 15-3, 2nd
Returning Letter Winners: 6
Returning Starters:  Jake Beitinger (F, 6-8, Sr., 14.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 1st
team GNAC & GNAC Newcomer-of-the-Year); Matt Penoncello (G, 6-5, Sr., 14.1 ppg, 5.6
rpg, 44-110 3-pointers, 2.2 apg, 2nd team GNAC); Johnny Spevak (G, 6-3, Sr., 7.2
 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.7 spg)
Other Returnees:  Brandon Foote (F, 6-3, Sr., 9.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 26-49 3-pointers);
 Giovonne Woods (G, 6-3, Sr., 9.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg); Colton Monti (G, 6-0, Sr., 7.7
 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apg)

OUTLOOK

In each of the past two seasons, Central Washington has finished just a game out of first-place in the GNAC race.

Two years ago, the Wildcats tied Alaska Anchorage for third with a 10-6 conference record, ending up only a game back of co-champions Seattle University and Seattle Pacific.

Last year, CWU, which lost to Seattle Pacific in the NCAA West Regionals in Anchorage on a last second shot, won its final 10 GNAC games to finish 15-3.

That equaled the most previous wins in conference history. However, UAA won 16 in securing its first-ever GNAC title.

With all the key parts back from last season except for point guard Nate Jackson, who averaged 12 points and nearly three assists per game, CWU could make a run deep into the post-season.

Back for coach Greg Sparling (220-149, 13 years) are three starters led by forward Jake Beitinger (6-8, Sr., Port Orchard, WA - South Kitsap) and guards Matt Penoncello (6-5, Sr., Moscow, ID) and Johnny Spevak (6-3, Sr., Edgewood, WA).

Beitinger, a second-team pre-season All-American pick by The Sporting News, led Central in scoring and ranked fifth in the conference averaging 14.8 points per game.

Beitinger also led CWU in rebounding (6.4) and blocked shots (41), ranking 10th and third in the GNAC, respectively.

Beitinger could benefit this winter by the addition of 6-9 center Chris Sprinker (So., University Place, WA - Curtis), who like both Jake and Penoncello, began his career at Eastern Washington.

After redshirting at EWU, Sprinker averaged 17.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks at Tacoma CC in earning first team NWAACC West Region all-star honors.

"Chris brings athleticism, shot-blocking, scoring and rebounding abilities," Sparling said. "His addition will allow us to move Jake back to his natural position as a four (forward)."

Despite his impressive numbers, Sprinker wasn't the NWAACC West Region MVP. That honor was won by CWU recruit Chris Scott (5-8, Jr., Las Vegas, NV - South Puget Sound CC), who led the conference in assists averaging 9.5 per game.

Scott will join a deep and talented backcourt that will also include Penoncello (14.1), Spevak (7.2) , Giovonne Woods (6-3, Sr., Lacey, WA - River Ridge), Colton Monti (6-0, Sr., Lacey, WA - North Thurston) and CC of Spokane transfer Jon Clift (5-10, Jr., Spokane, WA - Ferris).

Penoncello was CWU's No. 1 three-point threat last season, making 44 of 110.

Spevak had one of the best overall statistical seasons in CWU history earning a 2.41 rating on a point system originally designed by former Wildcat coaching legend Dean Nicholson.

In addition to averaging 7.2 points per game and leading the GNAC in steals per game (1.74), Spevak shot 50 percent from the floor, pulled down 4.2 rebounds per game, ranked second on the team in assists (2.7) and had the team's fewest turnover (1 per 25.1 minutes) and foul ratios (1 per 26.0 minutes).

Woods started 15 of 28 games and averaged 9.5 points, while Monti contributed 7.7 points and two assists per contest.

Clift averaged 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals last season at Spokane CC and was a second team NWAACC all-star on a team that lost just two games and reached the NWAACC title game.

Further strengthening the backcourt is newcomer Shane Miller (6-4, So., Moscow, ID ), who averaged 20.3 points in earning first team NWAACC East Region honors at Treasure Valley.

Returning in the frontcourt in addition to Beitinger is forward Brandon Foote (6-3, Sr., Bellingham, WA - Whatcom CC), who averaged 9.8 points and 3.3 rebounds and was the GNAC leader in three-point percentage, making 26 of 49 (53.1).

Also available for Sparling at forward are two 2007-08 redshirts - Riley Sivak (6-5, Jr., Ellensburg, WA - CBC) and Ted Nelson (6-11, Fr., Hoquiam, WA).

WESTERN WASHINGTON
Head Coach:  Brad Jackson, Washington State '75 (424-251, 23 years)
Assistants:  Tony Dominguez, Rob Visser, Jon Rylaarsdam
2007-08 Record:  15-12
Conference: 8-10, 5th-T
Returning Letter Winners:  8
Returning Starters:  Ira Graham (G, 6-2, Sr., 18.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.9 apg,
37-102 3-pointers,  1st team GNAC); Steve Alford (G, 6-5, Sr., 10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg);
 Calin Schell (F, 6-7, Sr., 9.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg)
Other Returnees: Harold McAllister (G, 6-0, Jr., 5.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.2 apg);
David Brittinen (C, 6-7, Sr., 5.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg); Zach Bruce (F, 6-8, Sr., 5.1 ppg,
 3.1 rpg); Derrick Webb (G, 6-3, Sr., 9.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.3 apg); Anthony
 Wiederkehr (G, 5-11, So., 1.3 ppg, 0.3 rpg)

OUTLOOK

After two years on the outside looking in Western Washington looks well positioned to make another run at the post-season.

A year ago, WWU, which won GNAC titles in 2002 and 2005, was 12-5 in early February before a late-season slide ended their post-season aspirations as they finished 15-12, dropping into a tie for fifth (8-10) in the conference.

Led by guard Ira Graham (6-2, Sr., Fontana, CA), three starters return from 2007-08, as do three of the top four reserves.

There's also a solid group of transfers and freshmen ready to contribute for coach Brad Jackson (424-251, 23 years), who is the winningest coach in school history in both victories and percentage (.628).

"I like the personalities on this team," said Jackson. "Our new guys have come and fit right in. I believe this is a very self-motivated and focused group. They like the game and want to do well."

Graham, a first-team GNAC pick last season, averaged team-highs of 18.5 points and 2.9 assists a game. He also shot 52.3 percent (184-352) from the field. Graham needs just 50 points to become the 21st player in school history to score 1,000 career points.

The other returning starters are both senior forwards. Calin Schell (6-7, Chelan, WA) is more the banger, while Steve Alford (6-5, Sr., Bakersfield, CA - South) is more the perimeter threat, although both bring versatility.

Schell averaged 9.2 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds - he is the top returning rebounder in the conference - last season, while Alford averaged 10.1 points.

Guard Harold McAllister (6-0, Jr., Vancouver, WA - Mountain View) headlines the returning reserves.

McAllister started nine games after making 14 starts as a freshman and averaged 5.7 points while shooting a team-high 40.3 percent (31- 77) on 3-pointers.

Center David Brittinen (6-7, Sr., Hoquiam, WA) averaged 5.6 points and 1.8 rebounds a game last season while shooting 74.0 percent (57-77) from the field. He averaged 9.0 points and 4.2 rebounds over the last 11 contests.

Center Zach Bruce (6-8, Sr., Oceanside, CA) also saw regular minutes averaging 5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds.

The only other returnee to see action was guard Anthony Weiderkher (5-11, So., Lakewood, WA), who played in 12 games, scoring 15 points.

Derrick Webb (Sr., Port Orchard, WA - South Kitsap), who averaged 9.0 points, will miss the season because of a wrist injury.

Two additional returnees are redshirt freshmen - forward Rory Blanche (6-6, Ashland, OR) and center Chris Mitchell (6-8, Everson, WA - Nooksack Valley).

Joining the Vikings are three transfers and one freshman. The biggest transfer, literally, is 7-foot center Dave Vanderjagt (Townsville, Australia), an Australian who played the last two seasons at NCAA Division I Montana.

The other two transfers are from the junior college ranks. Guard Morris Anderson (7-3, Jr., Federal Way, WA - Decatur) averaged 14 points in helping Highline CC reach the NWAACC championship game in 2006-07.

Forward Michael Duty (Seattle, WA - O'Dea) averaged 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds for Bellevue CC after playing in five games during his freshman year at NCAA I Wagner.

The lone true freshman is guard Cameron Severson (Petersburg, AK), who was the Alaska Class 3A Player of the Year as a junior and a first-team all-state pick as a senior.

"We have an outstanding backcourt, something a championship-caliber team has to have," Jackson said. "And our frontline is very versatile, we have good size and good skills. It really boils down to our day-to-day focus and effort.

"The more consistent those are, the more opportunity you have to keep getting better. I think we have a group of guys who are anxious to prove what they can do."

ALASKA ANCHORAGE
Head Coach:  Rusty Osborne, Texas `88 (78-43, 4 years)
Associate Head Coach:  Shane Rinner
Assistant: Bryan Weakley, Krehg Perez
2007-08 Record: 29-6
Conference: 16-2, 1st
Returning Letter Winners: 4
Returning Starters:  None
Other Returnees: Jeremiah Trueman (C, 6-9, Sr., 5.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg); Kevin White (G,
 6-4, So., 3.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 32-75 3-pointers); Lonnie Ridgeway (G, 6-3, So., 2.3
 ppg, 1.3 rpg); Colin Voreis (F, 6-7, So., 0.7 ppg, 0.9 rpg)  Note: Kenny Barker
(G, 6-3, Sr., 16.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2nd team GNAC for UAF in 2006-07)

OUTLOOK

Alaska Anchorage is in somewhat of a rebuilding mold, but still has a good group of players with four-year college experience.

The Seawolves don't return a single starter off last year's record-setting team that won 29 games and reached the national semifinals.

But, they do return four letter winners, a former GNAC all-star guard in Kenny Barker and two other transfers, including one from Division I Loyola Marymount.

Back from last year's team is center Jeremiah Trueman (6-9, Sr., Stratford, New Zealand), forward Colin Voreis (6-7, So., Vermilion, Ohio) and guards Kevin White (6-4, So., Manly, Australia) and Lonnie Ridgeway (6-3, So., Anchorage, AK - Heritage Christian).

Trueman saw the most action playing in all 35 games and averaging 15 minutes per contest. He contributed 5.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

Voreis saw limited action appearing in only 16 contests, while White and Ridgeway made 35 and 31 appearances, respectively, chipping in with 3.7 points and 2.3 points per game.

After redshirting last year after transferring from Alaska Fairbanks, Barker figures to be one of the top players this winter in the GNAC.

He needs only 22 more points to become the 35th player in GNAC history to score 1,000 or more career points. Two years ago, Barker was a second-team all-star at UAF, averaging 16 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Nanooks and making 48 of 134 three-pointers.

Other key additions for coach Rusty Osborne (78-43, 4 years) include Brandon Walker (6-3, So., Hayward, CA - Bishop O'Dowd) from Loyola Marymount, Chris Neal (6-5, Jr., Sydney, Australia) from San Diego Christian and JC transfers Darren Nye (6-1, Jr., Corning, CA) from College of the Redwoods and Casey Robinson (6-6, Jr., Manila, Utah) from Eastern Wyoming.

Walker played in 28 games at Loyola Marymount, averaging 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds. "Brandon is a very versatile, strong and tireless worker," Osborne said. "With three years of eligibility we expect him to leave a big mark on Seawolf basketball."

Neal played two seasons at NAIA San Diego Christian, including one with Trueman.

Last year he averaged 15.7 points and 5.5 rebounds, shooting 40.6 percent from the three-point line, making 54 of 144. He scored 38 points against Vanguard and 31 against Azusa Pacific.

"Chris can play multiple positions, having played shooting guard, small forward and power forward," Osborne said. "He gives us a lot of versatility and his ability to move and shoot the ball will fit in perfectly with our offensive system."

Nye was an All-Golden Valley Conference first team selection at Redwoods, averaging 16.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists.

The school's all-time assist leader, he shot 49 percent from the field, 43 percent from the three-point arc and 85 percent from the free throw line during his two-year JC career. "Darren is a multi-dimensional point guard," Osborne added.

Robinson averaged 17.5 points and 4.5 rebounds at Eastern Wyoming in earning All-Region IX honors. He shot 44 percent overall including 42 percent from the three-point line (82-197). He also cashed in on 81 percent of his free throw attempts.

Three freshmen - redshirt Kyle Doerr (6-7, Rapid City, S.D. - St. Thomas More) and "true" freshmen Grant Niver (6-4, Fr., Wasilla, AK) and Steven White (6-0, Manly, Australia) - complete the roster. Steven White is the younger brother of Kevin White.

SEATTLE PACIFIC FALCONS
Head Coach:  Jeff Hironaka, Eastern Oregon `80 (115-57, 6 years)
Assistants:  Brock Veltri, Scott Reid, George Parker
2007-08 Record:  21-8
Conference: 12-6, 3rd
Returning Letter Winners:  6
Returning Starter: Rob Diederichs (F, 6-8, Jr., 9.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.9 apg)
Other Returnees: Casey Reed (F, 6-5, Sr., 8.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg); Brandon Larrieu
(G, 6-0, Jr., 5.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.9 apg); Chris Banchero (G, 6-1, So., 4.8 ppg,
1.0 rpg, 2.4 apg); Jeff Downs (F, 6-4, So., 3.7 ppg, 0.9 rpg); Adam Wardell (G,
6-2, Jr., 2.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg)

OUTLOOK

Seattle Pacific has never finished lower the fourth in the GNAC and has the best composite record (86-38) in the conference's seven-year history.

In Jeff Hironaka's six seasons as head coach (115-57), he has led the Falcons to two first-place finishes and three thirds even though his team has never been the pre-season favorite in the coaches' poll. His team's worst finish was fourth in 2004 when they was picked seventh.

In 2006, he led SPU to the outright title after being ranked fourth in the preseason and in 2007 his team shared the title with Seattle Pacific after being picked second.

So it is really no surprise, the Falcons are ranked fourth this season, especially considering that forward Rob Diederichs (6-8, Jr., Shoreline, WA - Shorewood) is the lone returning starter and forward Casey Reed (6-5, Sr., Canby, OR) is the only senior on the squad.

Diederichs is the top returning scorer off of last year's team when he averaged 9.5 points per game. Reed, who started eight of 29 games, averaged 8.9 points and ranked second on the club in steals with 33.

Only four other lettermen return - guards Brandon Larrieu (6-0, Jr.. Puyallup, WA - Franklin Pierce), Chris Banchero (6-1, So., Seattle, WA - O'Dea) and Adam Wardell (6-2, Jr., Sedro Woolley, WA) and forward Jeff Downs (6-4, So., Kirkland, WA - Bellevue Christian).

Larrieu started 12 of 29 contests and averaged 20 minutes per game for the Falcons, contributing 5.9 points per game, 56 assists and 30 steals.

Banchero chipped in with 4.8 points per game and ranked third on the team in assists with 71 despite playing only 15 minutes per game.

Downs and Wardell played in only 159 and 152 minutes and 19 games apiece and combined to score 109 points (70 by Downs and 39 by Wardell).

SPU will rely on two transfers from the College of Eastern Utah - center Rafael Moreira and guard Colby Vranes - and four freshmen including two redshirts - to help replace the production lost by the graduation of all-stars Rob Will (14.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg), Marques Echols (14.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.9 apg) and JoJay Jackson (12.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.7 rpg).

Moreira (6-9, Jr., Brasila, Brazil) averaged 8.1 points and 5.8 rebounds last season for the Utah junior college, while Vranes (6-0, Jr., Taylorsville, UT) contributed 5.1 points per game.

Chauncey Campanaro (6-7, Fr., Rome, Italy) and Grant Hope (6-9, Fr., Mercer Island, WA) redshirted a year ago, while Kellan Moll (6-8, Fr., Anchorage, AK - Grace Christian) and Jake Anderson (6-6, Fr., Burlington, WA - Burlington-Edison) are new to the program.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE
Head Coach:  Tim Hills, Western Baptist '68 (39-42, 3 years; Overall, 480-436, 29 years)
Assistants: Brandon Rinta
2007-08 Record:  17-10
Conference: 9-9, 4th
Returning Letter Winners:  9
Returning Starter: Kendall Gielow (F, 6-7, Jr., 13.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, HM GNAC);
Scott Helpenstell (P, 6-6, Sr., 9.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.3 bpg); Tyler Roberts (G,
6-5, Jr., 9.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.5 spg, 39-94 3-pointers); Louie Beech (G,
6-2, Jr., 7.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg)
Other Returnees:  Joel Ryman (G, 6-0, Sr., 11.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 67-134 3-pointers);
 Adam Shildmyer (G, 6-5, Sr., 5.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg); Matt Mgebroff (P, 6-7, Sr., 3.2
ppg, 1.9 rpg); Brian Barkdell (P, 6-10, So., 2.1 ppg, 1.1 rpg); Tippy Burk (G, 5-
11, So., 0.7 ppg, 0.4 rpg).

OUTLOOK

With three starters and nine lettermen returning from a team that finished 17-10 including 9-9 in the GNAC, Northwest Nazarene head coach Tim Hills enters his fourth year excited about his teams' maturity and approach to the game.

"We are really focusing on playing the next play, not letting little things get in the way and affecting our ability to be consistent," Hills (39-42, 3 years; Overall, 480-436, 29 years) said.

Consistency that begins in the paint with returning honorable mention all-GNAC forward Kendall Gielow (6-7, Jr., Medford, OR - South Medford) and posts Scott Helpenstell (6-6, Sr., Port Angeles, WA - Peninsula CC) and Matt Mgebroff (6-7, Sr., Kent, WA - Highline CC).

"We all know that Kendall can score, but his challenge this year is to make his teammates better by passing out of the double-team and hitting the boards even harder, " Hills said.

Last year Gielow led the Crusaders in scoring (13.4) and was second in rebounding (5.2) to Helpenstell, who averaged 9.9 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds, but was limited to 22 of 27 games due to injury.

Mgebroff appeared in all 27 games, bringing a workmanlike approach with his 3.2 points in just over 13 minutes per game.

Tyler Roberts (6-5, Jr., Albany, OR - Corban) returns to lead the Crusaders at the point, just one part of an experienced backcourt that includes Joel Ryman (6-0, Sr., Spokane, WA - Spokane CC), Adam Shildmyer (6-5, Sr., Bremerton, WA - Olympic CC) and Louie Beech (6-2, Jr., Nampa, ID - Skyview).

"The game comes easy to Tyler, now he needs to just play it at a high percentage," Hills continued. "And Joel is so unique, his ability to come off the bench and make shots, he just injects life into us immediately."

Roberts averaged 9.9 points and averaged 4.6 assists in his first year with the Crusaders, while Ryman was the Crusader sixth-man a majority of the season, scoring 11.3 points per game and knocking down a team-high 67 three-pointers.

"I think Louie could have a really big year for us and Adam is shooting the ball very well. Adam rebounds so hard and Louie's individual defense could really make us go," Hills added. "They are going to be a big piece of what we do."

Beech and Shildmyer each started 13 games last season, both averaging 2.5 rebounds and scoring 5.5 and 4.5 points, respectively.

Also returning are sophomores Brian Barkdoll (6-10, So., Portland, OR - Central Catholic) and Tippy Burk (5-11, So., Port Orchard, WA - South Kitsap).

"Brian really changed his body during the off-season, he's much more aggressive and physical and has become much stronger," Hills noted.

Barkdoll saw action in 21 games, scoring 2.1 points in just over six minutes of action per game, while Burk appeared in 25 games and also averaged 2.1 points per game.

Joining the eight lettermen are five newcomers including freshmen Anthony Golden (6-1, Fr., Portland, OR - Madison), David Reeher (6-9, Fr., Prineville, OR - Crook County) and CJ Shula (6-3, Fr., Puyallup, WA - Rogers) and transfers Robert Lippman (6-8, Jr., Spokane, WA - Spokane CC) and Derek Miller (6-2, Sr., Cheney, WA - Northwest University).

"Anthony (Golden) can really go by people and does a good job of getting the ball inside," Hills said about his rookie point guard that he expects to see significant minutes.

At Madison, Golden averaged 16.6 points per game in earning 5A all-state honorable mention and first-team all-5A Portland Interscholastic League honors.

Lippman is a transfer from Spokane Community College where he helped lead the NWAACC school to a 32-2 record and a second-place finish in the NWAACC championship game.

Reeher, Shula and Miller are all expected to redshirt for the Crusaders this season.

SAINT MARTIN'S
Head Coach:  Keith Cooper, Seattle Pacific `88 (46-89, 5 years)
Assistant:  Dan Barfoot
2007-08 Record:  13-14
Conference: 8-10, 5th-T
Returning Letter Winners:  9
Returning Starters:   Jake Linton (G, 5-11, Sr., 19.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.5
 spg, 79-192 3-pointers, 96.4 FT, 1st team GNAC); Bill Richardson (C, 6-8, Sr.,
 14.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg,  1.3 bpg); Tyler Nixon (F, 6-6, Sr., 6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg);
 Justin Alexander (G, 6-2, Sr., 5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.2 apg)
Other Returnees: Blake Poole (F, 6-5, So., 6.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.1 spg, GNAC Freshman-
of-the-Year); Mike Ognoskie (F, 6-5, Sr., 2.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg); Galen Squiers (G, 6-2,
 So., 2.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg); Nick Smith (G, 5-10, So., 1.2 ppg, 0.7 rpg); Charlie
 Severs (G, 6-3, Jr., 0.5 ppg, 0.0 rpg)

OUTLOOK

Guard Jake Linton (5-11, Sr., Lynnwood, WA - Meadowdale) will lead a veteran group of nine lettermen and four starters returning for sixth-year head coach Keith Cooper (46-89, 5 years), who guided Saint Martin's to their second best record in 15 seasons a year ago.

SMU ended up 13-14, just missing its first winning season since 1998-99 when it was 15-13.

Linton won three GNAC statistical titles last season, leading the conference in scoring (19.0), three-pointers made (2.93) and free throw percentage (96.4).

He was also the NCAA Division II national free throw champion, missing just six attempts in 168 opportunities as he raised his career percentage to 93.0.

His career percentage is a NCAA record for all divisions, though officially he won't be recognized by the NCAA as the all-time leader until he completes his eligibility.

He also starts the season ranked 16th in GNAC history in career points (1,355), 10th in career three-pointers made (206), 11th in assists (349) and 15th in steals (124).

Also back from last year's starting unit is center Bill Richardson (6-8, Sr., Shelton, WA - Grays Harbor), forward Tyler Nixon (6-6, Sr., Sumner, WA - White River) and guard Justin Alexander (6-2, Sr., Morrison, CO - Bear Creek).

The Saints, however, did graduate forward Brendan Campbell, who averaged 12.9 points and 6.3 rebounds and finished his career as the GNAC's No. 22 all-time leading scorer with 1,239 points.

Richardson was the conference's eighth leading scorer in 2007-08 averaging 14.3 points per game and also contributing six rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots to rank fifth in the latter category.

Nixon averaged six points and 3.9 rebounds, while Alexander netted five points, two rebounds and 2.2 assists per contests.

Also back are forwards Blake Poole (6-5, So., Eugene, OR - Sheldon) and Mike Ognoskie (6-5, Sr., Orting, WA - Centralia CC) and guards Galen Squiers (6-2, So., Redmond, WA), Nick Smith (5-10, So., Olympia, WA - Tumwater) and Charlie Severs (6-3, Jr., Oakville, WA) though Ognoskie will likely redshirt.

Poole averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds in earning GNAC Freshman-of-the-Year honors, while Squires and Smith added 2.4 points and 1.2 points, respectively. Severs saw limited action, playing 26 minutes in 11 contests.

Three newcomers could also make significant contributions this winter including forward Jared Howard (6-6, Jr., Memphis, TN - Walter E. Stebbins) who played in 24 games and had 43 points and 39 rebounds two years ago at Alabama State.

"Jared is very athletic and will be a very solid player both offensively and defensively for us the next two years," Cooper said. "He can shoot the basketball and will really help us on the perimeter."

Another addition inside will be center Dane Henze (6-8, Jr., Aberdeen, WA) who played with Richardson at Grays Harbor.

"Dane is a strong low post player who will give us valuable minutes off the bench behind Bill," Cooper said. "When Michael McIver (7.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg) decided to concentrate on baseball this year, we were in need of a solid post player and we are fortunate to have Dane."

Freshman Jeremy Green (6-7, Kent, WA - Kentwood) will also see playing time for the Saints. "He is a long athletic front line player and will be a very good player in the GNAC for the next four years." Cooper said.

In addition to Ognoskie, two other players will likely redshirt for the Saints - guards Sam Glasgow (6-3, So., Portland, OR - Cleveland) and Brady Bomber (5-10, Fr. , Lynden, WA).

WESTERN OREGON
Head Coach:  Craig Stanger, BYU `92 (34-47, 3 years)
Assistants:  Jerod Gibson, Robin Andrea, Orin Wear
2007-08 Record:  15-12
Conference: 8-10, 5th-T
Returning Letter Winners:  7
Returning Starters:   Travis Kuhns (F, 6-8, Sr., 13.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.6
 spg, 2nd team GNAC); Sam Kelly (G, 6-5, Sr., 11.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg,
 45-100 3-pointers); Mike McLaughlin (F/C, 6-7, Jr., 10.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.9 apg)
Other Returnees: Stanley Ratcliff (F, 6-3, Sr., 3.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Isaiah Adams (G,
 6-5, Jr., 2.9 ppg, 0.6 rpg); Tyler Blok (F, 6-6, Sr., 1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg); Matt
 Schmidt (F, 6-8, Jr., 0.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg)

OUTLOOK

Western Oregon returns three of its top four point producers this winter as it hopes to continue its upward progress under fourth-year coach Craig Stanger (34-47, 3 years).

After back-to-back losing seasons in his first two seasons as the Wolf coach, Stanger led WOU to a 15-12 record a year ago.

Forward Travis Kuhns (6-8, Sr., Salem, OR - Sprague), guard Sam Kelly (6-5, Sr., Salem, OR - South Salem) and forward/center Mike McLaughlin (6-7, Jr., Lake Oswego, OR) all return for the 2008-09 campaign.

Kuhns has posted some impressive numbers in his first three seasons at Monmouth, scoring 953 points, grabbing 393 rebounds, earning 111 steals and blocking 63 shots.

Last year he ranked 10th in the conference averaging 13.9 points per game and also had 4.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals to earn second team all-conference honors.

Kelly was one of WOU's main three-point threats making 45 of 100 and averaging 11.7 points per contest. He also averaged two assists and a steal per contest.

McLaughlin, who started 17 of 27 games, was WOU's most efficient shooter, making 122 of 198. His 61.6 percentage was the second best in the conference. He also averaged 10.7 points and ranked second for the Wolves in rebounding, pulling down 6 ½ per game.

WOU, however, did lose two of its top guards as Brad Krichevsky, who averaged 11.4 points and made 64 treys graduated and Dane Johnson, who had a team-high 126 assists in his freshman season transferred to Portland State.

They also graduated starting center Liam Hughes, who contributed 7.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in his only season at WOU.

In addition to the three returning starters, WOU also returns forwards Stanley Ratcliff (6-3, Sr., Palmer, AK) and Tyler Blok (6-6, Sr., Banks, OR) and guard Isaiah Adams (6-5, Jr., Medford, OR - South Medford).

Ratcliff came off the bench in 17 of 27 games and scored at a 3.7 pace in addition to pulling down 82 rebounds.

Blok saw limited duty in 22 contests, playing only 125 minutes and Adams took the court only 11 times, playing 75 minutes. Also back is Matt Schmidt (6-6, Jr., Keizer, OR - McNary & Feather River CC), who played in two contests.

Gabriel Thrash (6-8, Jr., Gardena, CA), who played one season at Western Washington before spending his sophomore season at Bakersfield JC, is among seven newcomers for the Wolves.

The other six are all freshmen including guards Blair Wheadon (6-2, Junction City, OR), Marcus Harris (6-0, Poulsbo, WA - McCall-Donnelly, Idaho HS) and Kyle Long (6-3, McMinnville, OR), forward Tarance Glynn (6-6, Molalla, OR) and centers Kolton Nelson (6-8, Klamath Falls, OR - Mazama) and Graham Moredock (6-9, Lake Oswego, OR).

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
Head Coach:  George Pfeifer, Lewis-Clark State `79 (1st year; Overall, 308-254,
18 years)
Assistants:  Josh McGee, Justin Wetzel
2007-08 Record:  1-28
Conference: 1-17, 10th
Returning Letter Winners: 6
Returning Starters:  Kirk Blaine (F, 6-6, So., 7.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg); Troy Ruff (F,
6-5, Jr., 6.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Kyle Palmer (G, 5-9, So., 5.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.8 apg)
Other Returnees:  Brett Taylor (G, 5-8, So., 8.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 62-174 3-pointers);
 Tyler Hentzen (F, 6-6, Jr., 4.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg); Mike Barton (C, 6-8, Jr., 1.1 ppg,
 1.9 rpg)

OUTLOOK

Nine newcomers, including a pair of Division I transfers, will join six returning players on this winter's Montana State Billings basketball team as former University of Idaho coach George Pfeifer begins his first season with the Yellowjackets.

Pfeifer, who has a career record of 308-254 in 18 seasons mostly at Lewis-Clark State, signed six of the players after being hired in April, including guard Michael Hall from the University of Idaho and forward Travis Bunker from the University of Wyoming.

Hall (6-2, Sr., Dayton, OH) was UI's third leading scorer last season averaging 9.6 points in 27 contests. He started 24 games and led the Vandals in scoring four times, including a 29-point performance against San Jose State when he made nine of 10 three-pointers. He also had 18 against Arizona State.

Last year he ranked third in Western Athletic Conference league games in three-point shots made (50) and fourth in three-point percentage (43.9). He also shot 91 percent from the foul line (34 of 37). "Mike is a great addition to our program," Pfeifer said. "He has performed on large stages in big games throughout his career and has had some amazing nights. He is not a volume shooter; his shooting accuracy speaks to shot selection."

Bunker (6-6, Jr., Beaver, UT) played 27 games at Wyoming, starting three, and had 37 points and 23 rebounds. His career highs of nine points, six rebounds and five assists all came against Division II Chadron State.

Also among Pfeifer's recruits are two players from Western Oklahoma State, one from Dakota Wesleyan and one from Dawson Community College.

Forward Derrick Wright (6-7, Jr., Brooklyn, NY) and guard Mario Burns (6-0, So., Las Vegas, NV) played for the Oklahoma JC and will both be counted on heavily this season.

Wright averaged 13.9 points and shot 50 percent from the floor. "Derrick is a versatile player," Pfeifer said. "He can do work with his back to the basket and can face up on the perimeter. "

Burns averaged 13.8 points and 7.6 assists for Western Oklahoma in 2006-07 after averaging 15.2 points and 6.2 assists in 2004-05 at Feather River in California.

"Mario will give us one of the quickest guys on the court night in and night out," Pfeifer said.

Joining MSUB from Dakota Wesleyan is Marty Birky (6-4, So., Chinook, MT) and Adam Weisz (6-1, Jr., Melstone, MT) is a transfer from Dawson.

Weisz averaged seven points and two assists and was Dawson's team captain.

Also new to MSUB are Lance Anderson (6-6, Jr., Menlo, WA) and Brad Hodge (6-8, Jr., Hillsboro, OR) from Grays Harbor CC and 6-2 freshman Ryan Meehan from Beaverton, Ore.

They join six returning letter winners including three 2007-08 starters - forwards Kirk Blaine (6-6, So., Gillette, WY - Campbell County) and Troy Ruff (6-5, Jr., Custer, MT) and guard Kyle Palmer (5-9, So., Baton Rouge, LA - Scotlandville).

Blaine averaged seven points and 3.9 rebounds per game last season, while Ruff contributed 6.2 points and 3.3 rebounds. Palmer averaged 5.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

Also back are guard Brett Taylor (5-8, So., Billings, MT - West), forward Tyler Hentzen (6-6, Jr., Brea, CA - Orange Coast) and center Mike Barton (6-8, Jr., Havre, MT).

Taylor, who started 11 games, averaged 8.2 points per game last season and was MSUB's top three-pointer shooter making 62 of 174. He is his team's leading returning scorer

Hentzen, who started 10 contests, contributed four points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while Barton played in 29 games. Starting six, and contributed 31 points and 56 rebounds.

ALASKA FAIRBANKS
Head Coach:  Clemon Johnson, Florida A&M `78 (5-22, 1 year)
Assistants:  Ted DeLeon, John Mancuso
2007-08 Record:  5-22
Conference: 2-16, 9th
Returning Letter Winners: 4
Returning Starters:  Colin Matteson (F, 6-8, Sr., 13.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.5 apg);
 Mladen Begojevic (F, 6-5, Sr., 11.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 46-100 3-pointers, HM GNAC)
Other Returnees: Nashon Maynard (F, 6-5, So., 4.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg); Michael Anderson
 (F, 6-7, So., 1.3 ppg, 1.6 rpg)

OUTLOOK

Two starters are among four letter winners back for UAF head coach Clemon Johnson, who begins his second season at Alaska Fairbanks this winter.

Returning from last year's starting lineup are forwards Colin Matteson (6-8, Sr., Lynnwood, WA - Edmonds CC) and Mladen Begojevic (6-5, Sr., Ruma, Serbia).

Also back are 2007-08 reserves Nashon Maynard (6-5, So., Saint Paul, Saint Kitts) and Michael Anderson (6-7, So., Anchorage, AK - Dimond).

Matteson led the Nanooks in scoring last season averaging 13.9 points and also averaged 5.4 rebounds. He also ranked second on the team in assists with 40.

Begojevic was his team's No. 3 ranked scorer, averaging 11.4 points per game, and was the Nanooks' top three-pointer shooter, making 46 of 100. His 46.0 percentage ranked third in the GNAC.

Both Maynard and Anderson saw limited duty. Maynard played in nine games, averaging 4.7 points and 5.4 rebounds, while Anderson played a total of 90 minutes in 12 contests.

Johnson brought in 12 new players, including point guard Emmanuel Jenkins (6-0, Jr., Tacoma, WA), who was the leading scorer a year ago in the NWAACC.

Jenkins averaged 25.3 points, five rebounds and 5.6 assists at Tacoma CC to earn second team all-region honors after playing in 32 games the previous season at Portland State.

"Emmanuel is a true point guard and will bring experience and leadership to that position," Johnson said.

"He's going to make this team go. He can do it all. Emmanuel is not cat quick, but cheetah quick. He is Ferrari quick.

"He passes the ball well and he also scores from various positions. On the defensive end he is stellar. The only thing I can see keeping him out of the NBA is his height."

Jenkins won't necessarily be the only ex-Division I player in the Nanook backcourt. Another candidate is Kevin Buggs (6-1, Jr., Compton, CA), who played in 29 games at San Jose State, averaging three points and earning 46 assists two years ago. Last year he played at Compton CC.

Among the other JC transfers are Demetrius Love (6-7, Jr., Long Beach, CA) from Compton CC, Kyle Rische (6-7, Jr., Norwalk, CT) from Yuba. John Moe (6-2, Jr., Granite Falls, WA) from Everett CC, Clayton Edwin from Eastern Arizona and Tony Wilson (6-5, Jr., Anchorage, AK) from Yakima Valley.

Love could be an inside force for the Nanooks. "He's going to be a bruiser," Johnson said.

Rische has great leaping and shot blocking abilities. In his freshmen season at Yuba, he set a single-game record for blocks (13). Last year the former ESPN City Slam Dunk national semifinalist averaged five points, seven rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game.

Moe averaged 22 points per game in earning second year NWAACC all-region honors at Everett and was the NWAACC's No. 3 ranked three-pointer shooter averaging 3.67 per game.

Wilson, who prepped at East High in Anchorage, average five points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals at YVC.

Other players who could also contribute include Aaron Jones, a combo guard from Milwaukee, Wisc.; Casper Anderson, a 6-5 walk-on from Denmark and freshmen Tyler Colligan (6-7, Pensacola, Fla.) and Evan Matteson (6-9, Lynnwood, WA- Meadowdale).