BY CHANCE WEEKS-WILLIAMS, Staff Reporter
Students and Wildcat fans poured in to watch both the men’s and the women’s basketball teams showcase their skills on the hardwood, while both tams impressed in a big way.
The atmosphere was electric in the inaugural Wildcats Hoops Showcase.
“I thought it was awesome, I think it’ll get bigger and it will be great,” said women’s head coach Shawn Nelson.
Although the Wildcats were picked to finish 7th in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference preseason poll, but they have much higher expectations for themselves.
“We want to get into the GNAC tournament at the end of the season, if we focus on getting better every day that will take care of itself,” Nelson said.
The showcase opened up with a scrimmage between the women’s basketball team. In the short time they were on the court the team played with great spirit and sportsmanship.
The Wildcats will look to improve on their 9-17 record and an 8th place finish in the GNAC last season. Plans on which have already been set in motion.
“I think we have really good depth, and we return all of our starters,” Nelson said. “I think our depth will be a lot better.”
In between scrimmages were performances by the cheer squad and the dance teams. Many prizes were being given away, including a Papa Murphy’s pizza and a $250 tuition waiver.
On the men’s side it was no different as the intensity remained throughout the scrimmage. There was plenty of dunking to be seen as lead changes went back and forth.
Head coach Greg Sparling, who is entering his 19th season as coach of the Wildcats, has big plans for this year’s squad.
“Our goal is to win the GNAC Championship and also get to the tournament and see what we can do,” Sparling said.
Although picked to finish 4th in the GNAC, the Wildcats hope to make more noise as three players were picked to the all-GNAC preseason team. McLaughlin returns after earning first-team all-GNAC honors last season. Senior forward JB Pillard III earned honorable mention honors while playing at Northwest Nazarene two years ago, before transferring and redshirting last year at Central.
Senior center Kevin Davis also gives the Wildcats much-needed size after missing half of last season with an injury.
The women’s team team opens up against Seattle University in Seattle on Nov. 2 while the men will go on the road to face the Washington State Cougars in Pullman in an exhibition game on Nov. 1.
