Posted 1:33 PM by Emmett
With big shoes to fill, Evergreen men’s basketball signs six players '

OLYMPIA – With six seniors gone from a Cascade Collegiate Conference championship team that reached the second round of the NAIA National Championships, Evergreen State College men’s basketball coach John Barbee had a lot of shoes to fill as the Geoducks prepare for the 2002-03 season.

Thus far, Barbee, who among others loses NAIA All-Americas Quincy Wilder and Andre Stewart to graduation, has filled those 12 sneakers with a mix of local and out-of-state players.

Signed to letters of intent are Tumwater High and South Puget Sound Community College grad Adam Laner, a 6-4 forward; Nate Robinson, a 5-9 guard from Kent, Ben Riipi, a 6-foot point guard from Puyallup; David King, a 6-6 forward from Highline CC; Tygann Billow, a 6-2 guard from Bellevue CC; and Haikima Moore, a 6-5 forward from Plano, Texas.

Laner is versatile and can play just about any position on the floor, according to Barbee. He was a team leader at SPSCC and one of the Clippers’ top scorers and rebounders.

“Adam brings a great work ethic and is a player who does the detail work,” said Barbee. “We are going to look to him for leadership, experience and for him to do much of the dirty work. He brings great versatility to our team and will cause match-up problems for opponents."

King played on Rainier Beach's State Championship team that went 27-2 before heading to Highline. He was named to the All-State team and went on to become a part of Highline’s NWACC Championship team in ’00. He was named NWACC Most Inspirational.

“David plays the game likes it's supposed to be played,” said Barbee. “He works hard while bringing lots of excitement and energy to the game. He is so much fun to watch and knows how to be a team player. His winning attitude and experience are going to make an immediate impact. Everywhere he's been, he's won."

Billow played at Sammamish High before attending Bellevue CC. He averaged 11 points and 3.5 assists per game at BCC and made the NWAACC All-Star team.

"Tygann can shoot it!” says Barbee. “I like his understanding and ability to do what it takes for the team. He has some tremendous skills and will definitely be looked upon to provide us with scoring, detail work, and leadership both on and off the court."

Moore, who played one season at Collin Community College in Plano, was named First Team All Conference after leading his team in scoring and 3-pointers made.

“Haikima a very good athlete and can shoot the ball,” Barbee said. “It's going to be exciting watching him run the wing opposite Mike Parker (Evergreen’s ultra-athletic 6-6 rising senior forward). He can finish and creates lots of problems for opponents with his ability to play a number of different positions."

Robinson played the last two seasons at Green River CC and made the NWAACC All-Star team this year, averaging 19.8 points three rebounds, four assists and three rebounds per game. He played his high school ball at Kentwood.

"He has good all-around skills and can score in many different ways,” said Barbee. “He is a smart player who can play the point or off-guard.”

Riippi, the brother of former Geoduck Nick Riipi, played his last two seasons at Centralia College . He averaged 13.8 ppg and 4.2 apg on his way to being named Mr. Basketball at Centralia College. In high school he was first team All SPSL '99 - 00 , team captain and MVP.

“He is a smart, heady player who can score,” said Barbee.

Evergreen expects to have several walk-on players join the team for Fall Quarter as well. The Geoducks will open the season Nov. 21-23 in the Cascade Conference Tip-Off Tournament in Klamath Falls, OR, and will have their first home game Dec. 6 against California Pacific Conference powerhouse Holy Names College.