Amid the roar of Missionary fans, the men’s basketball team ended their season narrowly losing to Lewis and Clark College by three points after first-year Brandon Shaw pocketed a two-pointer with 38 seconds remaining.   The loss left the team with a season record of 5-11 in the NWC and 9-16 overall.

Although some of the players were disappointed with their performance this year, one season highlight included Chris Faidley finishing in the number two spot of Whitman’s all-time scoring list with a total of 1, 720 points.

Despite a weaker season, many players said they learned a lot from their experience and are looking forward to a stronger season next year.

“This year was all about changing the culture. […] Whitman for a long time has maintained a losing culture, but [now with our new coach] and our [rising] desires, [we] will change the culture around,” said Shaw.

First-year David Michaels agreed. “[Next year] we’ll have a greater sense of commitment…to one aspect of the game. We are a great group of guys that are willing to play together and we have a great bond within the team that will allow us to play much harder. The harder we play, the more wins we’ll have, and the more fans will come out to the game. It’s going to be completely different next year,” he said.

One reason the team experienced such a dramatically shifting culture was the introduction of new men’s basketball coach Eric Bridgeland. Bridgeland forced the players to be accountable for each other on and off the court and inspired many of the characters by his personality.

“His character is what brought me to Whitman: the kind of person he is on and off the floor. At first it was really rough for us […] the new system and learning new things […] but now that we know where [Bridgeland]   comes from and his teaching methods, [the team is] bound to change and it will change. With his work ethic we won’t settle for anything less,” said Michaels.

Although, Bridgeland constantly challenged the players, he also brought a sense of community to the team by having the players join him for meals at his home.

Returning junior Jordan Wheeler said “Bridgeland is the hardest working coach in the conference. […] He’s unlike any other coach I’ve had. […] He’s kind of like a father figure.”

With the introduction of Bridgeland to the Whitman men’s basketball team, the return of a more united team, and the introduction to new players next year, the players think the team’s future is promising.

“This year has helped us get valuable experience that will be very useful in the years to come. It’s a new era for Whitman. I’m excited about the new players coming and old ones returning. I think we’re on the right track for success,” said first-year J.P. Alvarez.