After graduating five seniors from the 2009-10 men’s basketball team, Westmont Head Coach John Moore has announced the signing of nine new recruits for the 2010-11 season.
“This is potentially one of the strongest recruiting classes we have had in a long time,” said Moore of the incoming class of five freshmen and four transfers. “They fill a lot of different holes – from post players to guards to wings. Most of these recruits played for a team that was at the height of its success as a program. They are a group of winners who know how to compete at a high level.”
Among the transfer students is Landon Boucher (pronounced boo-SHAY) from Chemeketa Community College.
“Landon wanted to come last year but for a number of reasons it didn’t work for us,” reported Moore. “He moved to Santa Barbara from Oregon and has been in town all year working odd jobs and living here in town. Landon is a six-foot shooting guard who has the potential to be the best shooter in our program next year.”
In the 2008-09 season, Boucher averaged 16.14 points per game while shooting 49.4% from the field (80 of 162) and 51.3% (41 of 80) from beyond the three-point line. From the free throw line, Boucher posted a percentage of 96.0, making 25 of 26 attempts.
Boucher’s brother, Grayson, is featured as “The Professor” on the AND1 Mixtape Tour which appears on ESPN’s “Streetball”.
Another JC transfer to join the Warriors this year is 6-3 wing player TJ Lipold.
“TJ is a tenacious all-around basketball player,” said Moore. “He’s a winner who is coming off the Saddleback Community College state championship team where he was an all-conference player. He is a great leader and a tenacious defender. He makes everyone else better.”
Lipold averaged 5.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for the Gauchos during his sophomore year. Before Saddleback, Lipold played for Edison High School in Huntington Beach where he was named MVP of the Sunset League.
Adding to the Warrior’s transfer list is sophomore Niko Brooks.
“Niko is a 5-10 point guard from UC Riverside,” said Moore. “He has the same kind of speed and quickness as Chris Jackson. He went to Canyon Springs High School in Moreno Valley.”
Brooks saw limited action at UC Riverside, playing in six games. In his senior year of high school, Brooks averaged 16 points and eight assists and was named to the all-league team.
Also joining the Warriors’ this fall is Matt Hornbuckle.
“Matt is unique in that he has been out of school,” said Moore. “Since playing at Oaks Christian High School, he has played half a season at Moorpark. Matt is 6-3 and can play at the two or three position – so he is a guard/small forward combination. He is a very good defender and an outstanding decision maker. He could be one of the best recruits we have from this class. He is very capable and will make us a good bit better as a team. His Dad, Mike, has been a friend of mine for a long time. He played at Redlands when I was playing here at Westmont.”
Hornbuckle’s older brother, Matt, played for Azusa Pacific during the 2004-2006 seasons and his younger brother, Keegan, will be playing at UC Santa Barbara this season after transferring from Colorado.
The first of five freshmen to sign with the Warriors was 6-5 three-man Jason Ritchey out of Clovis West High School.
“Jason scored more than 600 points for a storied high school program, one of the best in the central valley,” said Moore. “He is left-handed, is very strong to the basket and gets to the free throw line. Jason’s a good shooter and very good all-around player. I think his growth-spurt is ahead of him. I think he will get taller and a whole lot better as a basketball player.”
Ritchey, who averaged 23.7 points and nine rebounds per game, was named to the Fresno Bee’s 2010 Boys Basketball All-Star Team.
Joining Ritchey will be Dana Hills point guard Brendan Hill.
“Brendan was an All-CIF player and three-time all-conference player,” noted Moore. “He is the all-time assist leader at Dana Hills. He played for my brother Mike’s club team (OC Pride) and Mike called him the finest point guard he has had on his team.”
The 5-10 guard averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game for Dana Hills, posting a season high 25 points against Tustin.
Extending the Miller legacy at Westmont will be 6-6 CJ Miller of Bonita High School.
“This is Lucas’ and John’s younger brother,” remarked Moore. “Bonita averaged over 25 wins per season while he was on varsity. CJ was an all-league player who averaged 14 points and 9 rebounds per game. He will be a very good wing man – a three-four combination. He can step out and shoot the three or can play with his back to the basket.”
Miller’s father, Mark, played for the Warriors from 1973-77 and holds second place on Westmont’s all-time scoring list with 1,671 career points.
A 6-7 center from Sonora High School, Marcus Farrand will also join the Warriors’ front court this fall.
“He may have the greatest potential of all of our recruits,” said Moore. “Marcus had a very severe injury at the end of his junior year and spent most of his senior year recuperating. As a senior, he was able to play from January on and he finished his career with a triple-double in the CIF playoffs. Marcus is a very good shot blocker and an outstanding rebounder. He has really long arms – almost a seven-foot wingspan.”
Farrand averaged 11.0 points per game while shooting 58.4% from the floor (90 of 154). He also tallied 8.4 rebounds and 3.8 blocked shots per game for Sonora High School in his senior year.
Completing the list of recruits is Dillon Currier of Gilbert, Arizona.
“Dillon’s high school team was undefeated (32-0) and won the Arizona 1A State Championship,” said Moore. “He is a 6-4 wing man who played for Gilbert Christian where he was coached by his dad, Steve Currier. He has a very good all-around game and is a good shooter and passer. He is also a very good leader.”
Currier, who recorded a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds in the title game, was named to the Arizona Republic All-State Basketball Team.
The nine new Warriors will join seven returning players – Seniors Dan Rasp, Evan Haines and Blake Bender, juniors Joe Marshal and Lucas Miller, and sophomores Preston Branson and Jordan Sachs.
Rasp, who currently sits with 1,279 career points, is expected to threaten the Westmont career scoring record which has stood for 57 seasons. John Crew established the record at 1,679 points during the 1950-54 seasons. Rasp has scored no less the 446 points during his three seasons at Westmont.
Early November will bring a good bit of excitement to Warrior fans as Westmont will play exhibition games against two storied Division I programs in the span of three days. On Thursday, November 4, the Warriors will make their first trip to Pauley Pavilion to take on the Bruins at UCLA.
Following the UCLA game, Westmont team members will travel to New York for an exhibition on Saturday, November 6, against St. John’s. The game will mark the first time that Moore has coached against his brother-in-law, Steve Lavin.
