Team Workout Series: Gonzaga

Ron Bailey, Publisher

The Eagles of Gonzaga have a team ready to fill new roles, with old expectations.

October 5, 2009 – Having gone 20-9, 34-1 and 29-5 over the last three years – with many of those players now gone, including losing his most consistent inside presence last season to graduation and the Ivy League (Ian Hummer) - Steve Turner, the 6th year head coach of Gonzaga College High School might be forgiven by some if his 2008-2009 expectations are somewhat muted this year. Turner doesn’t embrace that school of thought.

“My goal is to win a championship” said Turner last week, after his players had completed a two hour open gym session at the Northwest, DC school. That would be a Washington Catholic Athletic Association title, which he expounded upon as “our number one goal ever single year”.

Though Turner is interersted to see how players step up this year, there is no ambiguity regarding Tyler Thornton's leadership; he's a coach on the floor.

In Turner’s eyes being King of the WCAC also positions a team for national honors, as the conference is “The best league in the country. Yearly there is a team in our league in the top 25 (nationally)”; for instance Gonzaga was ranked number one in Hoops USA’s National Poll two years ago and top 4 by ESPN that same season.

Adding to Gonzaga’s portfolio in 2009-2010 is a schedule that in addition to the WCAC slate includes the Iolani (HI) Tournament December 16-23, Wheeling’s (WV) Cancer Research Classic where NYC’s Rice High School is scheduled on Janurary 3rd, and a January 15th date with Winter Park (FL) in Springfield, MA. Of course the annual DC Gonazaga DC Classic precedes all of that – Mid-December sees Mater Dei (CA), McNamara (MD), Sidwell Friends (DC), Chantilly (VA), Jesuit (TX), Iona Prep (NY) and Calvert Hall (MD) all lace ‘em up in the Capital City.

Some coaches may feel pressure in tackling Gonzaga’s conference and non-league schedule. Not Turner, who noted “When you get your program to where we are, I wouldn’t call it pressure. We want to be a top 10 program year in and year out. I put pressure on myself”.

How do Turner and his staff expect to replicate past success with a roster in which virtually all of his players are accepting new roles? Well, as they always do, evidenced by the coach reiterating their playing style centers around his system, which “comes down to jelling and coming together” as “we have a few pieces”.

By that he means three 2008-2009 starters, four additional returning varsity players, and three new guys that will be called upon for impact. In sum, Turner indicated “We don’t have one guy to key on; we have three or four guys scoring 12 to 20 points on a given night”.

Let’s check them out:

Tyler Thornton – 6’2”, 180 pound senior point guard – Headed to Duke, Thornton has long been known nationally for his leadership – he’s a coach on the floor. Tough and smart, Tyler also likes to guard opposing perimeter standouts. This year, he will be called upon to not only drive, which he does, but let his jumper fly, as doing so will help open up Gonzaga’s offense and prepare him for college.

Ced Lindsay is an offensively aggressive guard tht loves the pick and roll.

Ced Lindsay – 6’1”, 175 pound senior guard – A combo guard that has committed to Richmond, Lindsay loves to attack the rim, but can also hit outside shots. Excelling in the pick and roll, he constantly puts pressure on defenders, as he did last year by leading Gonzaga in scoring. Can run a team better than previously, a skill that coupled with with Thornton will give opposing backcourt fits.

Malcolm Lemmon – 6’3”, 195 pound senior swingman – The likes of Robert Morris, Bucknell, Boston University, Vermont, Long Island University, Brown and others have offered Malcolm, a slasher/finisher that plays multiple positions. He also provides Gonzaga defensive flexibility.

Oliver Ellison finishes around the tin.

Cahli Thomas – 6’2”, 180 pound junior guard – Cahli is a multi-faceted backcourt guy, one that hits big shots and runs the team. Defensively, Thomas is a solid performer.

Ben Dickenson – 6’8”, 190 pound junior frontcourt player – Able to give minutes at power forward or center, Dickenson is a good shooter that will be called upon for strong minutes. Patriot, Ivy, MAAC and CAA schools are showing him interest.

Malik Williams – 6’0”, 180 pound junior guard – Williams, son of ex-NBA player Buck Williams, is a two guard, one that gives Turner a ball hawk off the bench.

Kevin Hogan – 6’4”, 190 pound junior swingman – A projected high-major quarterback, Hogan is also receiving low to mid-major interest in basketball, for his ability to hit the three ball and compete.

Nate Britt III will likely get key minutes for Gonzaga this year.

Oliver Ellison – 6’8”, 185 pound junior forward – Having played junior varsity next year, Ellison is something of an x-factor for Gonzaga this year: He has a long wingspan used to change, block shots and finish well. Given his ability to run the floor, Ellison has a high upside. Schools are starting to look at him, including Howard and A-10 institutions.

Nate Britt III – 6’0”, 150 pound freshman point guard – Given his high basketball I.Q and experience competing at a national level (with DC Assault AAU), Turner, with tongue planted firly in cheek said of Britt “I think he will play minutes” this year, as the young guy provides flexibility to the team. High major schools are starting to send mail.

Kris Jenkins – 6’4”, 250 pound freshman forward – Jenkins will play all of the frontcourt positions this season, and was lauded by Turner as a kid who “wants to win”. Comparison’s can be drawn to former Gonzaga Eagle and current Virginia Wahoo footballer Cam Johnson, in that the pair are capable of impacting the game rebounding, banging, and shooting. Jenkins is on the radar of high major schools.

Visitor Addendum - The following schools, plus others, have visited Gonzaga since Division I coaches have been allowed to travel to schools this fall. And what a list it is:

West Virginia, UVA, Richmond, UMass, GW, Marquette, Miami, Alabama, Boston College, Xavier, Syracuse, South Carolinia, Notre Dame, Howard, Towson, LIU, American, Bucknell, Brown, Cannisus, UMES, Columbia, Quinnipiac, Colgate, St. Frances (PA), Kansas State, Vermont, ODU, Stony Brook, JMU, Mason, Va Tech, Fordham, William and Mary, Princeton.