Meyers injects Pirates

Sure, Orange Coast College men’s hoops has do-it-all Nick Burwell.

Yes, the Pirates have point guard penetrator Ryan Earl and smooth post

moves from Chad Hagedorn. They don’t lack scoring punch.

But, it is the team’s character that has made the difference in the

Bucs’ 4-0 start in the Orange Empire Conference.

Coast’s character comes from an unlikely source: Mark Meyers. The

Pirates’ triple threat of Burwell, Earl and Hagedorn provide personality

on the court, while Meyers produces the team’s character off it.

Meyers, a 6-foot-7 240-pound freshman, has endured a life of diabetes

-- four insulin injections a day, nausea from the joys of junk food and

sometimes depression.

Since December, Meyers’ life became less rough. He now uses an insulin

pump that has been surgically inserted in his abdomen.

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the

metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and starches in the body. Diabetics,

like Meyers, lack the needed amount of insulin to survive.

Coincidentally, basketball serves as the perfect medicine for Meyers.

“For the diabetes, it’s very good for me because I need the exercise,”

he says. “Personally, it helps me feel better because I’m getting in a

lot better shape. And, just being in the whole team aspect is great.”

When Meyers graduated from Mater Dei two years ago, he decided to stop

playing organized basketball. He never played varsity for the Monarchs

and he was eager to play hoops just for fun.

But, the fun of pick-up basketball began to enliven his interest of

hoops on a higher level. He then took his interest to OCC.

To go from four years of junior varsity basketball to two years away

from the game and then to making the Bucs’ basketball team has spirited

Meyers. His diabetes is now the least of his worries. He focuses on post

moves, defense and just being ready when Coach Mark Hill calls upon him.

“I really love the game,” Meyers says of his medicine. “It’s hard to

describe. I just wanted to see if I could make it on another level

because I couldn’t make it in high school.”

For now, Meyers doesn’t have that much impact on the court. He

averages less than three points a game and provides a breather for

Hagedorn or forward Rich Oliver.

But, in terms of character, Meyers is the team captain. He is

unstoppable.

“It could’ve been worse,” Meyers says of his dealings with diabetes.

“There are people who are worse off than me.”

Now, that’s character.