Men’s basketball: Nice to meet you

Tony Altobelli

Name tags might be in order for Orange Coast College men’s

basketball program.

After last year’s 16-15 finish, including a first-round playoff loss

to Southwestern College, OCC has changed coaches and has undergone a mass

player face-lift.

With only three returning players and one returning starter,

first-year Coach Mark Hill has his work cut out for him, but likes the

direction his ball club is heading.

“I’m very happy with the work ethic, discipline and overall chemistry

of this team,” Hill said. “We’ve meshed very well, which is sometimes not

all that easy on the Community College level, especially with eight new

guys coming in from all over the place.”

With no dominate big man and not a lot of quickness, Hill believes

that execution on both sides of the court will be vital for the team’s

success.

“We don’t have a big margin for error,” Hill said. “It’s crucial to

really execute on both offense and defense and we can’t give the other

team extra chances.”

Leading the offense, when he gets there, will be David Castleton, the

Bucs’ lone returning stater who is currently a wide receiver for the

Pirates football team. He should join the basketball team in December.

“David had a great outside shot,” Hill said. “Once we get him from the

football team, he will be a tremendous outside weapon for us.”

Complementing Castleton on the inside will be returning forward Dave

Elliott.

Elliott, who came off the bench last year for the Pirates, averaged

just over eight points and five rebounds a game. Hill expects some great

things from the 6-fot-5 sophomore.

“He is a force in the middle for us,” Hill said. “Look for him to be a

big-time player for us and quite possibly for the entire conference.”

OCC’s third returner, 6-4 Jeff Beeler will also start for the Pirates

as a guard or forward.

One of the biggest surprises for Hill’s ball club has been the play of

Chad Hagedorn, who came to OCC from Northern California.

“He’s really come on strong for us as of late,” Hill said. “Especially

on the offensive end, he can really put up points on the board.”

Tustin High transfer, freshman Ryan Earl will be Hill’s fifth starter

for the Pirates, who is another player that will be tested early.

“A lot will depend on how well this team can handle the pressure of

this level,” Hill said. “It’s easy to score at will in practice, but when

you’re facing some tough competition in a game situation, that’s where it

matters.”

Coming off the bench to provide solid playing time will be Duc Nguyen,

Ryan Webster and Robert Cutler.

“Duke will be asked to bring his shot off the bench and be an

immediate spark for us,” Hill said. “Webster is another solid scorer that

can come in at guard or forward. Ryan is a Chapman College transfer and

he’s been a blessing in disguise for us. He’ll be a major factor off the

bench.”

At the very least, with eight freshmen, OCC is gaining a ton of

experience for next year, but Hill believes that he has a club that can

put some pressure on the rest of the conference right now.

“It’s a good starting point for us,” Hill said. “I wanted to bring in

guys that are coachable, that can adapt to our system and have the

discipline to do so. I believe that we’ve done that and I think if we

continue to work hard and gel as a team, we’ll be able to contend with

the top teams in the OEC.”

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER

3 David Castleton 6-1 190 So. G

4 Ryan Earl 5-10 180 Fr. G

5 Tommie Denson 5-8 165 Fr. G

11 Duc Nguyen 5-11 150 Fr. G 14 Ryan Elidia 6-2 180 Fr. G

15 Jeff Beeler 6-4 185 So. F

21 Ryan Webster 6-5 195 Fr. G/F

23 Kerwin Walters 5-10 175 So. G

24 Dave Elliott 6-7 220 So. C

25 Scott Rivera 6-1 170 Fr. G

33 Robert Cutler 6-7 225 So. F/C

34 Chad Hagedorn 6-4 190 Fr. F

40 Yascha Wilson 7-2 220 Fr. C