SLCC basketball: Bruins sad, but season was a success

"I don't want to be rude to 'em," Parrish said, "but if someone really examined them, there's something not right, which is good."

NEXT SEASON: SLCC loses all but one regular, center Pope, for 2008-09, making a return trip to "Hutch" a tough task. Point guard Dathan Lyles, who redshirted this season after earning All-SWAC honors last season as a freshman, will be back, as will third-stringer Drew Robinson. The Bruins are also excited to get big men Nate Bendall, a Skyline High center who's transferring from Utah State, and redshirting Krispin Banks into the mix.

The Bruins' biggest holes will be at shooting guard and small forward after losing Green, Vassy Banny, Chris Medina, Aaron Smith and Stafford.

The only player the Bruins get back in those positions is Austin Robison, a former Jordan High standout. Out of high school, Robison walked on at Utah, but he came to SLCC last season after serving an LDS mission. He played 12 games for the Bruins this year—even hitting 9 of his 15 shots—but then tore his ACL and had to sit the rest of the season.

Coach Parrish will also be busy fielding phone calls from interested four-year programs who hope to entice his value-increased sophomores to their teams.

BEST OF SHOW: Green led SLCC in scoring in the four-game tourney, averaging 16 points on 52 percent shooting. Jackson averaged 13 points and 4.5 rebounds. Backup center Papa Samba Guisse led the Bruins in rebounding with 6.5 boards per game to go with his nine points. Banny averaged 7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds. Power forward Andy Palmer came on strong the last two games, scoring 12 and 10 points despite playing with a torn tendon in his leg.

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