Two Visits on Tap for Botez; Chemeketa OR Update
While a small man may have helped publicize the Chemeketa C.C. basketball program, the Chiefs have ironically become more noted for an unusual amount of size in the frontcourt.
With three players standing 6-9 or taller, David Abderhalden's Chiefs program was no fun for most opponents in the NWAAC this winter.
Advertisement
So even if pint-sized Grayson Boucher (aka "The Professor" of AND1 Mix Tape fame) is the most famous recent Chemeketa product, it's a good bet that his bigger counterparts will eventually get their place in Chief basketball lore.
Sophomore Chris Botez, a 6-11, 225 pound center from Salem, has set up a pair of official visits this month.
Coach Abderhalden said that Botez will visit Boise State this weekend (Apr. 9-11) and Hawaii the following weekend (Apr. 16-18).
Many others had tried to get involved, but in the end, loyalty paid off.
"Between all of his choices and the coaching attrition, he closed it down to those two," Abderhalden said. "He wanted to reward those who had stuck with him."
While Botez's numbers dipped slightly from his freshman year, Abderhalden pointed out that stats can often be misleading. The Chiefs averaged 85 points per game and had six players average in double figures for a 24-7 club.
"Our team was better and more balanced this year," he said. "Chris' ability to score in the low post was a lot better than when he first got here, when he got it done on pure athleticism."
Botez averaged 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and two assists per game in 2003-2004, shooting 59 percent from the floor.
Defenses couldn't afford to collapse on Botez, thanks to a pair of 6-9 freshmen with Division I potential. Abderhalden gave us thumbnail sketches of Jason Hartford and Curtis Johnson.
Hartford, a 6-9 freshman qualifier from Tillamook, Ore., averaged 11 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in 2003-2004. He shot 67 percent from the floor, starting the final 13 games of the season for Chemeketa.
"Jason has the potential to be a mid-major player," Abderhalden said. "The thing that keeps him from being a high major is athleticism. He also needs to continue developing his post game and perimeter skills."
"But he has great instincts, a nose for the ball and the ability to get rebounds out of his area," Abderhalden continued. "He's a good post defender and was our most consistent low post threat."
Because he was a qualifier out of high school, Hartford could leave Chemeketa with three years of eligibility this spring. Right now, it appears stronger that he'll return to the junior college for his sophomore campaign.
"He could come back," Abderhalden said. "He's had some interest, but nothing overly strong."
Johnson, a 6-9, 250 pound freshman non-qualifier from San Francisco, will definitely be back for the Chiefs in the fall.
Aberhalden feels that Johnson has significant potential at the Division I level. He's had early feelers from Purdue, St. Bonaventure and Rutgers regarding Johnson.
"Curtis has progressed, but he hit a wall this season," he said. "He's a nice player blessed with size and strength inside."
Turning to the Chief backcourt, 6-4 shooting guard Josh Downey has generated interest from four-year schools, Aberhalden said.
Downey averaged 11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and three assists per game this season. The 190 pounder played at Los Medanos College in California as a freshman.
Downey became eligible at Chemeketa after the first semester. He appeared in 22 games, connecting on 58 three-pointers through 19 of the first 22 games in which he played.
In the NWAAC All-Star game last month, Downey hit seven of 15 three-point attempts.
Valparaiso, Portland and Portland State have been in touch with Abderhalden regarding Downey.
"He's a low-major prospect because he can create his own shot and has a quick release," the coach said.
JUCO Junction will keep you posted on the Chief players this spring as their situations evolve. Stay tuned!