This content was published: December 12, 2005. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC tips off Crossover Tourney
Photos and story by James Hill
The Panthers are ready to roar. And, you can see why up close and personal.
The Portland Community College men’s basketball team is hosting the Crossover Tournament Dec. 16-18 in the brand new, state-of-the-art gym at the Cascade Campus, 705 N. Killingsworth St. It’s a chance for staff, students and the community to catch a glimpse of the new and improved Panthers, who are winning half of their games this season thanks to a winning attitude on and off the court.
“It has been really exciting as we’re off to a good start,” said head coach Wayne Mendezona. “We’re very serious about trying to get young people to the next level as student athletes. They are taught accountability, responsibility, selflessness and team play as well as to be good citizens off the court.”
He hopes PCC takes it to the next level when it tips off its portion of the tourney at 5 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 16 against Skagit Valley. If the Panthers win, they advance to a 5 p.m. game on Saturday, Dec. 17, but if they lose they’ll play at 1 p.m. The tournament’s championship is at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18 in the Cascade gym. This tournament is part of the coach’s master plan for the basketball team.
“We want to be very competitive,” he added. “Every game we play we want to do our very best and try to improve. I’d rather win the right way and lose the right way, than win the wrong way. We look at it as being a long-term thing, not short term.
Fans will also be able to see the exciting “Big Four.” These are the players who are leading the Panthers’ resurgence and includes forward Elton Adell (Soph./Elhert, Ind.), winger Rory Morgan (Soph./San Diego, Calif.), point guard Lamarcus Stuart (Fresh./Portland) and guard Avery Rosen (Soph./Portland).
“Lamarcus is amazing and has exceptional quickness, and can create one-on-one,” said Mendezona. “Avery is a tough-nosed kid whose got big time courage and is not afraid of anything. Rory can flat out stroke it, a great perimeter shooter. Adell is a 6-foor-3 athlete who can take it strong to the basket and is a versatile player. The rest of the team works hard to do whatever it takes to win games.”
| Opening Round Schedule Friday, Dec. 16 | |
|---|---|
| 1 p.m. | Linn-Benton vs. Everett |
| 3 p.m. | Blue Mountain vs. Grays Harbor |
| 5 p.m. | PCC vs. Skagit Valley |
| 7 p.m. | Pierce vs. Treasure Valley |
For ticket information, contact Karl Easthorp at 503-978-5513.
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About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »