Men’s Basketball Team Needs a NWAC Championship
By: Lucas Bohannon
Student Writer
Head coach Godfrey Drake and the Gators are back for more this season and the team is prepared to make another run in the Northwest Athletic Conference(NWAC) tournament.
The men’s basketball season has already begun and the Gators are primed for another impactful season. Last year the team made a statement with a 20-win season and a ticket to the NWAC tournament. Drake has decided that this year will be no different as he plans on setting his team up for similar success.
“We are rebuilding our leadership group so that our guys can learn to lead the other young guys on the team,” Drake said. “We do have some transfers from other programs and some guys that have gone on missions that will make us a little bit of an older team. We are keeping it simple early so we can all be on the same page.”
Simplicity and leadership were key factors for the Gators last year, and with some returners and a couple transfers the team is excited to show the NWAC that the Gators are not to be forgotten. The expectations for this year’s team are quite simple.
“Getting to the NWAC tournament is priority number one, but we will keep it simple early,” Drake said. In regards to the level of game “Just focus on winning one game and go from there. We played in a jamboree this weekend down in Centralia and it went well, so I believe that everyone is locked in now.”
The Gators are now ready more than ever to continue their prior success. The desire and focus the team has this year is unmatched and Drake expects a few of his players to step up when it matters the most.
Pa’Treon Lee (Joose) is a transfer guard from Lewis and Clark State and he is a “tough nosed” guard from Auburn High School. “It’s huge for him to be back home,” Drake said.
Tanner Nygren is a transfer from Utah State University Eastern, a National Junior College Athletic Association school. Nygren is a “smooth guard with range and the ability to finish at the rim. He is an amazing leader,” Drake said.
RJ Wilgar is a return missionary from Dixie High School. As a new player in the team “RJ is a flat out stud and he is a matchup nightmare on any given night,” Drake said.
Derek Cox is a 6’8 forward who returned from last year. “I believe he is ready to break out of his shell,” Drake said. “He will lead us on the defensive side of the ball and he will be the leading rebounder as well.”
The men’s basketball team is on a path towards success, the coaching staff and players have built a program that will lead this team towards any goal they set their mind to.
