Published Dec. 29, 2009
By Ben Reynolds, Tri-City Herald
PASCO — Lane Schumacher is not overly excited that his team is 3-9. He is also not that disappointed either.
In spite of a lackluster preseason record, the coach of the Columbia Basin College men’s basketball team is holding out hope that the first 12 games will serve as a learning experience for his young team.
“I would love to have a better record,” said Schumacher, now in his eighth season, “but hopefully we’ll learn something from those losses.”
Mixed in those nine losses — the most in the NWAACC this season — are two that the Hawks could have won and one more they should have.
CBC had a chance to knock off Mount Hood, only to get beat on a shot at the buzzer. Two days later, the Hawks led second-ranked Clackamas early, but a second half of cold shooting resulted in an eight-point loss.
Then on Dec. 19, CBC missed two free throws in the closing seconds of regulation against Clark that would have iced the game. Instead, the Hawks fell by three in overtime.
“I just chalk it up to being young,” Schumacher said.
And that’s an argument that won’t face much resistance at this point.
The Hawks have just one sophomore — Drew Church, who averaged 1.4 points per game in just over a minute of playing time last season.
That is the extent of Hawks’ experience.
Church, so far, has used that limited experience to become one of team’s leaders. In 12 games, he is averaging a team-best 15.1 points per game and ranks in the top 20 in the NWAACC with 7.5 rebounds per game.
The Hawks are also getting a nice contribution from freshman Mark Wilson. The former Liberty Christian star ranks second on team, scoring 14.9 points per game, and has emerged as a consistent 3-point shooter for the Hawks.
“He’s been playing great the last couple of weeks,” Schumacher said.
But, like the rest of his teammates, he has had plenty of time to cool off.
The Hawks wrapped up their preseason schedule with a loss to Whatcom on Dec. 20. CBC does not play again until Jan. 9 at Walla Walla to open East Region play.
That gives CBC an extended break Schumacher hopes will revive his team and provide his players with a fresh start.
“We just need to settle down a little bit,” Schumacher said. “We just need to stop talking about doing it and start doing it.”
Additional news stories can be accessed online at the Tri-City Herald.