Most Valuable Player - Justin Thompson
Norman Gore - Tyler Baker
Most Improved Player - Luke Markowski
Most Inspirational Player - Les Doran
Best Defense - Jim Netteland
Scholar Athlete - Brian Masten
1999-2000 LCC RED-DEVIL MEN'S BASKETBALL OUTLOOK
The Devils are hosting the big show this March. The LCC goal for the 1999-2000 NWAACC men's basketball season is to be able to play well enough to join the championship tourney as players and not just hosts.
Jim Roffler begins his ninth season as the head coach at Lower Columbia College. He's 18 wins away from passing his mentor, former coach Gary Earnest, as the winningest coach in LCC history. Twenty (20) win seasons are nothing new for Roffler and it may take another one for his team to get out of the tough Western Division and into the NWAACC Tourney. Long time assistant Rally Wallace is back on board bringing his time-tested coaching talents and former LCC-star Ryan Chinchen begins his coaching career as the second assistant.
This edition of the Red-Devils will feature plenty of talent, although a lack of size around the basket. Team MVP and All-Division pick Justin Thompson is back and he'll be joined by two big-time recruits, Marvin Noble and Larry Guess as the leaders of the Devils.
GUARDS
Marvin Noble averaged 24.8 points per game last season for Cleveland High School in Portland. As a point guard, he can light it up from the perimeter and has the ability to take it to the hole. Although he always been a scorer, Noble is a very good assist man by making the correct decision running the club.
Larry Guess hails from the California State Champion Fremont High in Oakland where he was an all-Oakland performer. Guess could be the most complete player to ever lace 'em up at LCC. At 6-4 he has great size and is a legitimate triple-double threat. He can shoot, rebound, block shots and defend. He is also a creative passer who can see the floor well. Guess can do it all.
One of only four returnees, Luke Markowski will provide leadership on the team. He has improved his strength and is shooting the ball with much more confidence. Josh Downing is a role playing returner who will work hard for minutes and push his teammates.
Jim Netteland has been a solid performer in pre-season camp. The former Toledo star is a versatile player with a nice all-around game. Former Mark Morris star Tyler Baker is a hard-nosed intelligent player. He isn't afraid to throw his body around on defense. Brician Williams is an ultra-quick point guard from Kelso. He will provide point guard work off the bench and will be useful when the Devils turn up the pressure defense.
FORWARDS
Justin Thompson is back and better than ever. A true small forward, Justin will have to provide some work at the big forward spot and utilize his tremendous leaping ability. He can sky and clean the glass and Devil fans are already familiar with his ability to take off and dunk with authority. Thompson has improved his outside shooting and strength, so he'll be tough for the opposition to deal with.
Dan Alldrin is back from the knee problems that limited him during his senior year at Mountain View. He will be asked to play some center and with his ability to hit the three-point shot will help bring the other team's big man out from the basket.
Two other Toledo players are contributors to this year's squad. Kurt Wallace is recovering from last summer's shoulder surgery and is looking good around the boards despite standing just 6-2. He can slash to the hoop and bang with the big boys. His cousin D.J. Wallace is starting to bring out some his good potential. He can shoot the three and has great timing to the glass.
Les Doran has been the surprise of camp. He is the ultimate hustler and has showed a great tenacity on the boards. Doran can run the floor and likes to do so. Brian Masten is back to provide size and strength on the boards. He'll be out until early December after having some knee cartilage trimmed. Masten can provide much needed post defense and has what Coach Roffler calls "bangability".
It's not a big Red-Devil ball club, but then again, it rarely ever is. This is a team with plenty of talent, just not a lot of size. The Devils also have a lot of competition in the Western Division. Highline joins the division this season and they will be tough to beat. Tacoma is loaded once again and Clark has assembled another talent laden team. Centralia is always good and the other teams will also provide stern challenges. It will be a very tough challenge to make it to the NWAACC tourney for LCC but they seem to be up to it.
The key will be an up tempo game, sprinkled with some press, and hard nosed defense. Coach Roffler hopes that recipe will lead to some home cookin' come March 2-4 at Myklebust Gym.
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