Men's basketball ends an inconsistent year

JESSE BERTEL Reporter @JesseBertel

The men’s basketball team wrapped up its season and now its attention is focused on improving for next season to try and find better results.

Pierce lost to College of the Canyons in the last game to finish with an overall record of 13-15 and 1-7 in conference play.

Associate head coach Charles White said their biggest strength was camaraderie.

“For the most part, we came together as one because Casey [Weitzel] kind of preached more family, more structured versus what I did. I had structure, but it was freeplay infrastructure,” White said.

It was Weitzel’s first year as head coach and his first year at a community college, so while it took some time for him to adjust, he had a lot of people who helped him along the way.

“It definitely has its challenges. Coming from a private school sector at Azusa Pacific to Pierce College is very different,” Weitzel said. “I'm thankful to have great people around me including Charles and my other assistant coaches, the athletic directors, the assistant athletic directors that have really helped the process and there's been a lot of other new coaches.”

Although the season had its ups- and-downs, Weitzel emphasized their early success.

“We struggled with conference play, but overall I think we built a good foundation, something that we can look forward to – the start of something great,” Weitzel said. Despite the rough ending, there

Brahma of the Week

Johnathan Kennedy

On his start on Mar. 1 against West LA.

“The first three innings were tough. But four, five, six, seven, and I even went into the eighth for an out, I just really felt better and loose. I just really try to focus on throwing strikes with my fastball and slider and I feel like I did a good job middle and later in the game.”

Do you have any pregame rituals?

“I really actually don't. I just like to take my time. Starting and relieving is pretty different.

When I start, I like to do my own thing, stretching wise. I basically have an hour and a half to do whatever I have to do to be ready in the game.”

Is there anything you want to improve on?

“I think the stuff I have to improve on is in the beginning of the game I struggle. I start to really settle down in the middle and later part of the game. I just have to really compete in the beginning, throw strikes in the beginning.”

Is there anyone you look up to?

“I feel like coach Picketts really helps me out. He's always helped me out, trying to get me better.

He's always on my side. And he actually says things during the game to pump me up in a way or keep me going into game.”

What are your plans after Pierce?

“My plans after Pierce are to hopefully transfer to a good four year university and develop over there. Hopefully one day trying to get drafted and play as long as I can.”

If you weren’t playing baseball, what would you do?

“I love being active in sports like that. I were a lot of high points. Three players in particular, Anthony McIntyre, Max Edwards and Christian Guillory stood out the most.

Guillory said the team really came together at the San Diego Tournament. “We all played really well. We got second in the tournament and then on top of that, I really felt like we came together as a team over that weekend,” Guillory said.

White said that Guillory was the only returning player from last year.

“Everybody else was freshman,” White said. “The other two sophomores didn't play. Christian put in a lot of minutes last year and this year.”