John Whittelesy

The 2014-2015 Central Washington University basketball team featured a lot of excitement and growth this season.

From senior guard Dom Williams’ memorable buzzer-beater, to junior forward Joseph Stroud’s domination of the paint on both the offensive and defensive ends.

A host of new players shined, giving Wildcat fans a glimpse of things to come.

Central’s season started with one question looming over the team: Who was going to replace the scoring output of 2013-2014 division two All-American Mark McLaughlin?

The answer to that question came on December 4th at Nicholson Pavilion, when Dom Williams turned in a 31 point performance.

Williams’ season featured 13 games with more than 20 points scored, Williams was 2nd the GNAC in scoring, averaging 19.9 points per game.

His scoring efforts garnered him an All-GNAC first team selection.

Williams was not just a scoring machine as his assist-to-turn-over-ration was 17th in the nation.

Head Coach Greg Sparling is proud to see how Williams accolades; it’s a testament to the person and play Williams has become this season.

Sparling is proud to see William’s accolades as it is a reflection of Dom’s unselfish play all season.

“Dom is special because he’s such a great scorer,” Greg Sparling said. “But what people don’t give him credit for was his assist-to-turnover ratio. When Dom saw the double and triple teams coming he could take one back dribble and find the open guy, and that made everyone else around him better.”

Central also found a defensive presence in the way of 6-foot-8 inch long-armed shot blocker Joseph Stroud.

In his first season with the Wildcats, Stroud ranked ninth in the nation in total shot blocks (69) and blocks per game (2.65 BPG) as he became the defensive lynch pin for the Wildcats.

Stroud also demonstrated an ability to get the ball in the basket when he has opportunities.

Stroud’s development of a 12 foot jumper and post-up game helped complement his exciting alley-oops.

Stroud became the GNAC’s leader in field goal percentage (.705). Stroud’s individual accomplishments helped him to earn a GNAC second team selection.

Sparling knows that the team’s defensive success was largely due to the play of his shot blocker.

“If big Joe isn’t blocking shot’s he’s altering them,” Sparling said, “And that’s huge to our success. I mean, if they had a category for shots-altered, Joe would probably lead the nation in that.”

Stroud takes pride in all he has done this season, but he has already set his sights on next season.

The Wildcats’ future looks bright with the team finishing the GNAC season in third place and saw significant contributions from juniors, sophomores and freshmen.

Sparling knows that a new season will be upon the team in no time and the experience young players got this season will help them going forward.

“The ground work has been set, a lot of younger guys had to step in and play,” Sparling said. “Now we look at the guys and first you thank the seniors, but the juniors are now seniors, the sophomores are now juniors, and your freshman aren’t freshman anymore, and they will be the leaders of the team now.”

Sparling had great expectations of the younger players and was impressed with what he saw out of them.

Junior guards Gary Jacobs, Joey Roppo and Devin Mathews contributed to the Wildcats’ success immensely this season.

The Wildcat trio combined for 538 points, 171 assists and 36 percent shooting from three-point range.

Sparling knows that his players are already working hard in the offseason and is proud to see their initiative.

“It’s great to see younger guys like Joey and Drake in the weight room already working for next season,” Sparling said.

The play of sophomore guard Terry Dawn propelled Central this season as Dawn finished the season second on the team in rebounds (116) and block shots (11).

Dawn finished the season third on the team in three pointers attempted, made, and three point field goal percentage.

Sparling is excited to see the growth of Dawn and knows that his patience benefited him this season.

“Terry Dawn is a guy who played in McLaughlin’s shadow last year,” Sparling said, “When his number finally got called he stepped up and just had a great year, and got the most out of himself, even when he was injured late in the season.”