Pierce College Finishes Second at Thanksgiving Home Invitational

The Pierce College mens basketball team opened its 2010-2011 season with a good showing in the Thanksgiving Home Invitational Championship in Lakewood, advancing to the final for the first time since 2004 before falling to Whatcom 76-52 on Nov. 28.

Guard Alix Hernandez scored a team-best 10 points in the championship game, but said they needed to start stronger and play better defense.

"Offensively, we got off to a slow start and then we couldn't get the defense together until the middle of the first half," Hernandez said. "We'll make adjustments and be ready for the season."

Hernandez scored a team-high 15 points and added seven rebounds and five assists in a 78-59 semifinal victory over Bellevue on Nov. 27.  Pierce beat Columbia Basin 88-63 in the opening round on Nov. 26.

Whatcom's J.B. Pillard, who tallied 18 points and nine rebounds in the title game, was named the tournament's most valuable player.

Team capsule

1. Last season's record and league champs: Pierce was 11-5 in the NWAACC; Clackamas Community claimed the championship.
2. Team captains: Alix Hernandez and Brandon Thomas.
3. Keys to the season: "We have to play great team defense and we have to find the best shooters on the team," said head coach Bill Mendelson.
4. Games to watch for: NWAACC runner-up Lower Columbia Red Devils and crosstown rival Tacoma Community College.
5. Returning players: Guard Alfred Davis averaged 9.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 3.0 steals per game, second-team NWAACC; guard Hernandez 7.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.7 apg and 2 spg; forward Brandon Thomas 10.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg; forward Mike Stepovich.
6. Key losses in terms of personnel: Roberto Diver 11.7 ppg,  5.9 rpg and 1.5 blocks per game.
7. Coach prediction. "We are going to have to play great team defense because we have a small team, but great defense adds 3 inches," Mendelson said. "I believe we can get it done. We can make the NWAACC playoffs and from there the sky is the limit."