For SLCC, 24 wins were not enough

For most teams, a 24-win season and a berth in the regional championship game is a tremendous success, but according to Salt Lake Community College basketball coach Norm Parrish, it still was not everything the Bruins were hoping.

"It's a little bit greedy of me, but I still feel like there was just a little bit more we could have done," he said. "We fell short of our ultimate goal. The kids played hard, and I was proud of how they progressed, but we wanted to go just a little farther."

After a 13-7 conference season, the Bruins advanced to the championship game of the Region 18 tournament. They were leading that game until late in the second half before losing to regular-season co-champion College of Southern Idaho.

"That last game hurt, but we got where you want to be," Parrish said. "To be in it and have a chance in the end, that is really all you can ask."

A perfect example of how far the program has come may be departing player Gary Wilkinson. The team's leading scorer (18.5 ppg), rebounder (8.1 rpg) and shooter (62 percent on field goals), Wilkinson, who will take his game to Utah State next season, did not even play high school basketball.

"Gary leaving next year will be a big loss," said Parrish, "but I couldn't be happier for him. He has come a long way for a kid that got cut from his high school team."

Along with the 6-foot-9 Wilkinson, other contributors who are departing include sophomore Nikola Bodic (8.7 ppg) and 6-8 freshman Wil Carter (6.6 ppg), who is leaving on an LDS mission.

"We lose a lot in the post," Parrish said. "We are going to have to have some guys step up next year to fill in up front."

The good news is that the team has the players coming back to compete. Four of the top six scorers return, including the team's second-leading scorer in Brian Green (13.9 ppg). Davell Jackson (7.1 ppg) and Dathan Lyles (6.8 ppg) will be back. Wing player Vassy Banny is still new to the game, and his coach said he just needs time. Blair Prowse showed nice progress through the year. Andy Palmer had a good freshman season, and Papa Samba Guisse from Senegal was coming on strong by the end of the season.

"We have some good depth coming back and some players that I think are ready to show what they can do," Parrish said. "We will have to see what kind of players we sign, but I am already getting excited for what we can accomplish next season."

---

SLCC leaders

Points: Gary Wilkinson, 18.5

Rebounds: Wilkinson, 8.1

Assists: Dathan Lyles, 3.3

---

E-mail: mblack@desnews.com