Raiders one and done this postseason, but have much to be proud of
Moorpark Raider Larry Bush, no. 21, moves past James Pendleton, no. 5, of the Bakersfield College Renegades during the first playoff game Friday night at the Raider Pavilion. The Raiders kept the game close but ultimately lost 96-78. Photo credit: Willem Schep
February 27, 2016
In front of a packed house, Moorpark College played at home as the No. 8 seed Western State Conference champs against No. 9 seed Bakersfield College, ultimately losing 96-78 on Friday Feb. 27.
The men’s basketball team was playing their first home playoff game since 2006. The team was also playing as WSC champs for the first time since 2007. With all of that riding on them, the Raiders seemingly could not stop the up tempo pace of Bakersfield and their center Deandre Dickson who led his team in scoring.
Moorpark Head Coach Gerred Link stated that there could have been some things they could have done differently, but Bakersfield’s center was very dominant.
“It helps if you make some layups, but that guy’s big and he does a good job of protecting the rim,” said Link referring to Dickson. “I don’t think they [Bakersfield] saw our best effort tonight. They’re a good team and you gotta give it to them. They were better than us tonight.”
Sophomore guard Josh Brooks, who played in his final game for Moorpark on Friday had wished the team played more of their game style and less of their opponents.
“Being more patient on the offensive end,” said Brooks. “They kind of sped us up and we rushed and took bad shots and turned the ball over. That’s something that really affected us throughout the game.”
Another sophomore playing his final game for Moorpark was their big man, forward Reggie Dixon. Dixon said he was very proud of his teammates.
“This is an amazing group of guys,” said Dixon. “We got a conference championship, first in eight years … it was a pleasure playing with these guys.”
As the season has ended, Moorpark will look to repeat as conference champions again next season and be a force in the WSC for many years to come.
Coach Link stated that preparation for next season has already begun.
“Now it becomes a really hardcore type of thing,” said Link. “Now we just get after it a ton. Now we can focus a little more time, I can focus more of my time on that.”
As of right now, only five people on this years’ roster will return for next season. Eight sophomores from the 2015-2016 Raider basketball team will venture on elsewhere.
Raider Chris Fields leaps for the basket before being stuffed by Bakersfield College’s Lawrence Moore in Friday night’s playoff game at the Raider Pavilion.
Raider Jeremiah Gray, no. 2, moves around Bakersfield College Renegade Shane Christie in Friday night’s playoff game at the Raider Pavilion.
Raider Reggie Dixon, center, attempts a basket during Friday night’s playoff game against the Bakersfield College Renegades at the Moorpark Pavilion.
Joshua Brooks, right, maneuvers around opponent Shane Christie toward teammate Reggie Dixon in the opening Men’s Basketball playoff game on Friday night at the Raider Pavilion.
