Basketball has been one of my favorite sports ever since I stepped on the court for the first time as a kid in 1989 at Beards Cove’s Santa Maria Park in Belfair.
While I have never been especially adept at playing the game, basketball is a sport I have enjoyed watching since childhood. It didn’t matter if it was professional, college, high school or a recreational league contest— I could never get enough of watching the sport. Nothing beats watching a finely tuned basketball squad work together as a complete unit. This year I was blessed to cover the Bellevue College Bulldogs men’s basketball team. The Bulldogs, who compiled an overall record of 28-5 during the 2014-15 season, captured fifth place at the 2015 Northwest Athletic Conference tournament on March 10 in Kennewick. The Bulldogs went 3-1 at the NWAC tourney, registering victories against Umpqua, Lane and Highline. I’m not surprised by the Bulldogs’ success this season.
The way they played the game and carried themselves is every coach’s dream. They moved the ball flawlessly and flustered their opponents with their ability to share the basketball.
No one on the Bulldogs roster cared about who scored the points or who got the credit. The first time I watched them play I could tell they were going to be special. They crushed the Whatcom Orcas 76-44. That particular night was a microcosm of the Bulldogs season as five players scored in double figures.
“They’re so fun to coach. They like each other, play together and it’s just good team basketball. It’s about as good of a team brand of basketball I have had in my 12 years here as coach,” Bellevue head coach Jeremy Eggers said on Jan. 28. “It’s unique to have that great of team unity.”
The Bulldogs’ ability to share the basketball was evident during their 14-game winning streak from late December through mid-February. Even after losing against Clark in the NWAC quarterfinals, the Bulldogs didn’t hang their heads and finished the season strong with wins against Lane and Highline to take fifth place.
The cupboard will be far from bare next season. Even though the Bulldogs are losing sophomores Jalen Ward, Dominique Jordan, Dominic Smith and Anthony McLaughlin to graduation, they will return key players Dom Holub, Andrew Medalia, Cory Nevin, Brian Zehr and Addison McIrvin to the roster for the 2015-16 season.
Eggers has a keen eye for recruiting unselfish players who fit specific roles on his squad. I’m sure next year’s incoming freshman class will exude the team first philosophy Eggers fosters and promotes with his basketball program.
Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com
