The #10 ranked SPSCC Clipper Men’s Basketball is out to prove that they are for real. So far, it would be hard to argue that fact as the Clippers have beaten, or kept up with, some very tough opposition. Sitting on a record of 11-3, the Clips have battled it out every game and the coaching staff has been pleased with the team’s effort.
“I’m encouraged,” said Head Coach Zach Smith about the team’s performance as of late. “I think that our guys are learning a lot about who this team can be, but we’re still in a process of getting them to fully play together and play hard all of the time. We try and instill consistency; consistency is the biggest thing for our group.”
Heading into the holiday break, five of MBB’s 15 preseason games have been against teams that have been ranked in the NWAC Top 10 this season. Out of those five games, the Clippers won three of those matchups — two games against Edmonds and one against Southwestern Oregon. Their two losses, against Skagit and Portland, came in competitive games where one could see that this team can keep up with the big names in the conference.
“I feel like we shouldn’t have lost two of the three games that we lost,” said Sophomore Forward/Center Tristyn Ambrose-Pearce. “We started off pretty average in both those games. The Skagit game we were down 18 early and got it back within five in the last five minutes so we should be 9-3. Realistically, I feel like our record should be better, but it is an improvement from where we were last year.”
This experience against tough foes will prove useful as the Clippers ready themselves for conference play in the West Region. As of publication, the West Region of the NWAC has four teams in the Top 10 — #1 Lower Columbia, #2 Tacoma, #4 Green River, and #10 South Puget Sound. With four playoff spots available per region, it is imperative that the Clippers start off strong against their regional opponents, not only to make the NWAC Tournament but to nab a top spot for a more favorable draw in the playoffs.
“In the West, there’s never an easy night,” emphasized Coach Smith. “It’s a gauntlet. Everybody can beat anybody on any given night, so you got to be ready to go every time that ball goes up in the air.”
Ambrose-Pearce spoke about the team’s mentality going into conference play, stating, “[Preseason’s] been a good look at a lot of different teams, options, and styles of play. I feel like it’s prepared us well for conference. Overall, it’s going to be interesting [going forward]. The goal is to hang a banner and that’s what we’re going to do.”