Pirates Guardedly Optimistic Whitworth Has Backcourt Depth As Friedrichs Seeks More Success

Sean Weston, one of three returning starters on the Whitworth men’s basketball team, is talking pragmatically. Or at least thinking out loud that way.

Despite the guard’s history - good ballhandler, 40 percent shooter, 78 percent free-throw shooter - Weston knows nothing is for certain when it comes to playing time.

“There are so many lineups we can go to. It’s unbelievable. You’re fighting with all the guards for a spot,” Weston said.

Weston, who led the Pirates in steals last year, will get his minutes, but judging by the early actions of Pirates coach Warren Friedrichs, so will most of his teammates.

“We think we can play everybody on our roster,” said Friedrichs. “But that may not be possible every game.”

Last week, in Montana, in the Pirates’ first three games, Friedrichs started two different guard combinations and neither included Weston.

The starting lineups against Western Montana and Montana State- Northern featured juniors Tyler Jordan and Julian Nakanishi at guard. Against Carroll College, freshman Ryan Nelson replaced Nakanishi. Weston has been designated as the first guard to come off the bench.

As for who plays point and who plays off-guard, that, too, often changes.

“They all can handle the ball, so were not making it a definite outlet.

We’re more fluid that way,” explained Friedrichs, who begins his 13th year at Whitworth.

Add to the mix three more guards and the possibilities seem endless.

Weston, the smallest player on the team at 5-foot-8, appears to be enjoying the challenge. At least he’s approaching it with the right attitude.

“It’s not necessarily bad. It just makes you get better and makes you play hard every day,” he said.

One opinion Weston doesn’t need to put a positive spin on is how he feels about Whitworth and its successful basketball program.

“I’ve loved it here,” he said.

Weston played high school ball at North Thurston High in Lacey. During his senior year, the Rams made it to the State AAA basketball tournament for the first time in 17 years. They finished fifth, and have not been back.

Friedrichs followed Weston throughout the district and state competition.

“He kept talking and talking to me,” Weston recalled. “He was really enthusiastic and really intense. I like that. That’s kinda like the way I play.”

By no surprise, Friedrichs is full of excitement regarding this season. In three years, his teams have compiled a 62-22 record and carry a 32-game consecutive home winning streak into the season. Two years ago, the Bucs were finalists in the NAIA Division II tournament.

Whitworth is off to a 1-2 start against NAIA Division I teams and open Northwest Conference of Independent Colleges play Friday at Willamette and Saturday at George Fox.

The Pirates are coming off an 18-7 overall record, 11-5 for a third-place NCIC record. They did not earn an at-large bid into last year’s NAIA Division II tournament after losing to Lewis & Clark 93-83 in the NCIC tournament semifinal game.

The Pirates were ranked No. 13 in the NAIA Division II preseason poll. Lewis & Clark (22-6) started at No. 4 “We’re as good as we were two years ago. The depth is good, the attitude, the cooperation and the team spirit is real good,” Friedrichs said. “We have good talent, I don’t think we have exceptional talent, but we have a lot of people who work hard.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: WHITWORTH MEN’S BASKETBALL FACTS Coach: Warren Friedrichs (13th) Assistant coaches: Rodney Wecker, Dean Oineck 1996 record: 18-7, 11-5 (NCIC third place) Players to watch: Sr. Sean Weston (5-8, G); Sr. Jeff Mix (6-6 F); Jr. Tyler Jordan (6-0 G); Jr. Greg Jones (6-7, F). Key newcomers: Fr. Kelson Ramey (6-1 G); Fr. Ryan Nelson (6-3, G); Sr. Phil Ruebel (6-4 G/F). Bonus points: Senior forward Ben Heimerman can’t join the team until January because he only has one term of eligibility left. He’ll play in 16 out of 18 conference games. … Nate Williams, the most prolific 3-point shooter in Pirates history, is back with the team as a coaches’ assistant while he finishes classes. Kelson Ramey, a player who redshirted at Montana Tech last year, joined Whitworth with freshman eligibility. Outlook: Next year, all NCIC schools are withdrawing from the NAIA and moving to NCAA Division III.

ROSTER Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown Kelson Ramey G Fr. 6-1 Boulder, Mt. Jeff Mix F Sr. 6-6 Spangle Sean Wilson G Sr. 5-8 Lacey Doug Schultz F Jr. 6-5 Richland Julian Nakanishi G Jr. 6-0 Pearl City, Hi. Ryan Nelson G Fr. 6-3 Waterville Ben Heimerman F Sr. 6-6 Spokane James Sullivan F So. 6-5 Visalia, Calif. Kevin McDaniel F So. 6-6 Sultan Tyler Jordan G Jr. 6-0 Newman Lake Greg Jones F Jr. 6-7 Spokane Phil Ruebel G/F Sr. 6-4 Boise David Rusk G Fr. 6-1 Omak

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Lost Western Montana 73-69 Lost Montana St. Northern 81-67 Def. Carroll College 72-70 Dec. 5 at George Fox 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Willamette 8 p.m. Dec. 11 vs. Lewis-Clark State 8 p.m. Dec. 13 vs. Northwest 8 p.m. Dec. 17 at Northwest 8 p.m. Jan. 9 vs. Linfield 8 p.m. Jan. 10 vs. Pacific 8 p.m. Jan. 16 at Pacific Lutheran 8 p.m. Jan. 17 at Lewis and Clark 8 p.m. Jan. 23 vs. Seattle 8 p.m. Jan. 24 vs. Puget Sound 8 p.m. Jan. 27 at Whitman 8 p.m. Jan. 30 vs. George Fox 8 p.m. Jan. 31 vs. Willamette 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at Linfield 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at Pacific 8 p.m. Feb. 10 vs. Whitman 8 p.m. Feb. 13 vs. Pacific Lutheran 8 p.m. Feb. 14 vs. Lewis and Clark 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at Seattle 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at Puget Sound 8 p.m.