Honors Aren’t Everything — Winning Is Weekend Losses Force Whitworth To Hit Road In Conference Tournament
Someone approached Whitworth Pirates basketball player Kevin Wright on campus this week and congratulated him for being selected to the Northwest Conference firstteam all-league squad.
“Thanks a lot,” Wright said. “But if I could, I sure would exchange the award for two wins.”
The Pirates went into last weekend’s games against Pacific and Lewis & Clark at the top of the NCIC. Two defeats later, they were in third place. As a result, the Pirates (7-5, 18-9) will travel to Willamette (8-4, 17-10) tonight for a 7:30 tipoff for a first-round conference tournament game.
It’s been mixed emotions this week in the Pirates’ camp. Coach Warren Friedrichs was named NCIC coach of the year by his peers. Wright and Nate Dunham were honored as first-team selections and Roman Wickers made the second team.
“I’ve been doing this (coaching) for some time now,” Friedrichs said after the loss to Lewis & Clark. “This is probably one of the toughest losses I’ve ever experienced.”
Whitworth was 1-5 on the road in conference games. One of the big problems on the road was putting away an opponent after taking the lead.
At Willamette, they had a 10-point lead at the half before losing by 10.
In the season finale, the Pirates led Lewis & Clark by 11 in the second half before the Pioneers stormed back for the win.
“That’s been our nemesis all year long,” Friedrichs said. “I’m confident we’ll be able to bounce back and play hard.”
The travel schedule may take its toll on the Pirates, however. Three games in six days and traveling by van is nobody’s idea of a good time.
While the men must travel, the Whitworth women are kicking their feet up in front of the television and enjoying some home cooking.
The Pirates (10-2, 16-11) wrapped up the NCIC with back-to-back road wins and will host the league tournament this weekend.
For their effort, first-year coach Helen Higgs was named the NCIC coach of the year, guard Annette Sweeney, the league’s MVP and first-team all-conference member; and center Sherri Northington made the second-team all-league list.
“This team has worked so hard,” Higgs said. “They’re just so resilient. I’m really proud of the way we’ve come together since the start of the season.”
Whitworth will play Whitman Friday at 6 p.m. at the Whitworth Fieldhouse. That game will be followed by Lewis & Clark vs. Willamette at 8 p.m. If the Pirates win Friday, they will play the winner of the other game at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Since the Pirates won the conference, they earned double-elimination status for the tournament. If they lose Friday, they will play at home Monday at 7 p.m. against Saturday’s winner.
If they win Friday and lose Saturday, they will play Monday against the team that beat them Saturday night.
If that’s not confusing enough, consider this: If the Whitworth men win Wednesday, and Whitman defeats Lewis & Clark on Wednesday, the Pirates will host the Missionaries on Saturday as well. The starting time of that game will be worked around the Saturday women’s game.