The defending NWAC men’s basketball champions didn’t exactly roll into the postseason.
But that is not all bad news according to Clark College coach Alex Kirk.
Sure the Penguins have lost three of their last four games heading into Saturday’s 5 p.m. playoff game against visiting Tacoma at the O’Connell Sports Center. But the intensity of those games provided a taste of what is to come, which Kirk sees as a positive.
Despite losses last week to Clackamas (by two points) and to Umpqua (by five), Clark won the South Region title with a 12-4 record. The Penguins are 21-7 overall and average more than 92 points per game.
With five players averaging in double figures, the Penguins don’t lack firepower. But they cannot expect to just outscore foes if they are to contend for a second consecutive Northwest Athletic Conference championship. Saturday’s winner advances to the eight-team NWAC Tournament March 11-13 at Everett Community College.
“The key for us is our toughness, our focus and our togetherness,” Kirk said, noting that players are held accountable for all aspects of the game, not only scoring.
One Penguin who appreciates that accountability is sophomore guard Bryan Berg. Clark’s top scorer for the second year in a row, Berg was named the South Region MVP this week. A graduate of Tigard High School, the 6-foot-1 guard averages 17.4 points per game.
“This is a perfect fit for me,” Berg said. “(Kirk) coaches me to a level I really need to accomplish my goals.”
One of Berg’s goals is to move on to play at a four-year college next season. If that happens — Berg said he hashed communication with several Division I schools and some small colleges in the region — Berg will follow the path of former high school teammate Evan Garrison. After leading Clark to the championship last season, Garrison landed a scholarship from Portland State where he is a backup point guard.
Sending players to four-year programs is both the goal of his program and key to building the Penguins into a consistent winner in the NWAC, Kirk said. This year’s roster includes players from Florida, Georgia, Nevada and California. The only player from Southwest Washington is Union graduate Micah Paulson, a guard who has started 27 games and averages eight points as a freshman.
Darrius Mathis, a 6-1 sophomore from Atlanta, was a first-team selection for the South Region and named to the region’s Defensive Player of the Year. Mathis and Berg were starters in last season’s NWAC championship game.
Berg said he enjoyed learning from a strong group of sophomores last season and is enjoying being a leader this season. He believes the unique guys on this team have the ability to again challenge for the NWAC championship.
“It’s down to the wire, and I think guys are becoming aware of that reality and have been focused in practice this week,” Berg said.
Clark opened the season with a 93-64 win over Tacoma on Nov. 20. But Kirk said it’s silly to expect another blowout on Saturday.
“They are really tough, very athletic and quick,” Kirk said of the Titans. “They’ve gotten a lot better since we played them back in November.”
NWAC basketball playoff
Tacoma (15-12) at Clark (21-7), 5 p.m. today at the O’Connell Sports Center.
Tickets: $10/$7 for military, kids 7-12 and seniors. Free admission for Clark students.
Webcast: Live at NWACSports.org.
Twitter updates: @360Danzer
