The Clipper Men’s Basketball team has gotten off to a fantastic start to conference play, winning their first two games of the conference season. The first game was a statement win in a packed home gym against #2 ranked Tacoma as the Clips won decisively 100-69, followed by a win on the road in Aberdeen against Grays Harbor by a score of 81-67.

“I’m incredibly proud of our group for their commitment to each other,” said Head Coach Zach Smith after the win against Tacoma. “We have been putting a huge emphasis on winning ‘moments’ — finishing box outs, defensive toughness, and sharing the ball for better shots. If our guys continue to win their moments for the success of the group, we can compete with anyone.”

A big contributor to these ‘moments’ that have the Clippers on a very nice win streak has been Sophomore Guard Nehamiah Pollard. Pollard has averaged 23.5 points in his two games to start off conference play, including a 26-point performance against Tacoma, and has shot 52% from the three-point line.

“The team just tries to come into the game focused, locked in, and locking in our matchups. Everything starts on the defensive end and it translates into offense,” said Pollard about the team’s recent form.

As Pollard talked about, it has truly been a team effort that has led to these wins as the entire starting five of Pollard, Caleb Bowden, Marcus Lawson, Jeremiah Lewis, and Quincy Linton have posted big numbers during these last two games. The team has come together defensively as well, holding both Tacoma and Grays Harbor to under 40% field goal shooting overall and under 25% field goal shooting from beyond the three-point line. Also, the Clips have won the battle of the boards in both games, finishing the week with a +16 rebound differential.

Coach Smith lauded the team’s method in which they came together in their game against the Chokers. “Conference road wins are never easy and I liked the team’s approach,” said Smith. “I was proud of their toughness and approach to that game. It’s a process to be able to go throughout an entire season and you got to take stuff away from each one of them.”

Clipper MBB’s next two games are at home at the SPSCC Health and Wellness Center’s main gym, Wednesday Jan. 15 against Highline at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Jan. 18 versus Lower Columbia at 3 p.m. Be sure to come on out to cheer on our Clipper Basketball squads!