Lc’s Homer, Mencke Focused On Single Goal

Mike Homer has heard the whispers, how he marches to a different drummer and isn’t always in step with what would make beautiful music for his basketball team.

But the athletic, 6-foot-4 Lewis and Clark senior is determined to change that tune.

Paired with 6-5 forward Paul Mencke, the Tigers have the best inside-outside combination in the Greater Spokane League. Last year they led the Tigers to second in the GSL (13-5), their best showing since 1983 (12-4, second) and one game away from state (17-9 overall), a trip they haven’t made since 1951.

Mencke was co-MVP and led the league in scoring at 18.8 points per game; Homer was first-team All-GSL and averaged 17.4 points, fourth in the league.

Yet, that wasn’t enough when the Tigers placed fourth at regional - losing to Richland on the Bombers’ home court - in a year only three teams went to state.

“They’re certainly the best basketball players in terms of physical skills we’ve had at Lewis and Clark in a long time,” coach Glenn Williams said. “I think they’re very aware our success is dependent on them but their success is dependent on the team.”

Williams has no doubt both players, also excellent students, can play Division I basketball, although Mencke has to decide between football and basketball.

“This year it is really important for me to show all aspects of my game besides scoring,” Homer admitted. “People know I have the athletic ability, they know I can score. They don’t want to see me score 30 points. They want to see me hustle, play defense, rebound. Those are the things that will get me to the next level.

“I understand that is what I need to do for the team to be successful. It’s basically something I have to do. I want to do it.”

Mencke said his heart will make the decision between sports when the time comes. Until then, there’s only one goal.

“The stronger points of my game are boarding and being aggressive inside,” he said. “I have to show I have an outside game. This year Homer and I talked … we discussed with the coach what we have to win the state championship. We need to show our defense and rebounding, work the ball around. The points will come for us.”

That sounds good, until the first time statistics come out and somebody ask, “What’s wrong with Homer and Mencke?”

“What I’ll say to them is if you look at the won-loss record, we’ll have a lot in the ‘W’ column,” Mencke said.

Homer added, “That might be the best case. Frankly, statistics don’t matter. We have a lot higher expectations this year.”

Could the dynamic duo be setting themselves up for a fall?

“There’s always pressure to perform,” Homer said. “There’s always pressure, not on me individually, on the team. The key to us is how well we can play as a team. That will determine how far we go.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Preseason all-league MVP- Mike Homer, Lewis and Clark, sr. F - Paul Mencke, Lewis and Clark, sr. F - Paul Sweeny, Gonzaga Prep, sr. C - Scott Stocum, Lewis and Clark, sr. G - Corby Schuh, Central Valley, sr. G - Damian Long, Mead, sr.