Community college basketball preview: Play does the talking

Communication is kept pretty simple with twins James and Patrick Cooks.

They are not about expression, or demonstration or offering even a peep when it comes to playing basketball.

For them, a simple nod of understanding will do. Then they go about their business of helping winning programs – such as Curtis High School last season, and now Pierce College in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges’ West Division – win games.

“I just talk,” Patrick said, “when I have to talk.”

Of course, it was easy for the Cookses to get lost on a Curtis High squad last season with standouts DaVonte Lacy, who signed at Washington State, and Julian Vaughn in tow. The Vikings won the Class 4A West Central/Southwest bi-district title and went all the way to the state championship game.

The Cooks brothers were supporting pieces who picked their spots to shine – when they were able to contribute.

Both had outside responsibilities at home that forced them to miss school and practice, caring for their three younger siblings – Stephen, 9; Michael, 8; Sean, 7.

“Some days … Mom and Dad would be working,” Patrick said. “We would practice at 4, and we would have to watch them until 4:30, so we would be late.”

Eligibility concerns surfaced – enough to scare away other community colleges such as Tacoma CC, where James initially wanted to go.

But Pierce coach Bill Mendelson decided to recruit them to a team that lost in the NWAACC title game last season. And he had a need, considering he had lost all five starters from last season.

“You know, I watched Curtis a couple of times, and they did not really stand out all that much because of DaVonte,” Mendelson said. “But then I went to districts and they had a big win against Puyallup. Both the twins hit big shots in that game, even though they were not the stars.

“Pat was going to come here, so we thought they weren’t going to chase each other’s shadow. But during the summer league, James came over to Pierce and wanted to play, so it has just really worked out well.”

Mendelson said neither brother missed a summer workout, or an in-season practice. It helped that the parents’ work schedule changed so the only time the twins have babysitting chores is on weekends.

And grades are no longer a concern. In their first college quarter, Patrick got a cumulative 3.5 grade-point average; James a 2.7 GPA.

“They’re the hardest workers you’ve seen,” Mendelson said.

Even though both brothers stand 6-foot-1, James is a bit thicker, and starts at power forward for the Raiders.

“It has been kind of hard,” James said. “Most of the guys I am guarding are bigger and stronger. I just try and do my work early … and not have them get in front of me. I just try and act like I am their size.”

Patrick comes off the bench at shooting guard and is one of the team’s secondary ball-handlers.

“Both are real quiet. They kind of get on each other, but they support each other,” Mendelson said.

“They do everything together – live together on the road. We thought, ‘Let’s not break up the karma here.’ They have been great for us.”

Todd Milles: 253-597-8442 todd.milles@thenewstribune.com

NWAACC MEN PREVIEWS

GREEN RIVER GATORS

Coach: Tim Malroy, eighth season.

2010-11 season: 13-11, 8-8 in NWAACC West (fifth place).

Player to watch: F Chris Plooy returns after spending a redshirt season at Alaska-Anchorage. He’s an active inside scorer.

Skinny: Still very athletic, the Gators want to apply full-court pressure at all costs. Question is, do they have enough reliable scoring?

HIGHLINE THUNDERBIRDS

Coach: Che Dawson, ninth season.

2010-11 season: 19-9, 11-5 in NWAACC West (third place).

Player to watch: F Nkosi Ali, a 6-foot-10 Georgia product, could be the division’s premier back-to-the-basket scorer. A former Seattle University signee.

Skinny: Thunderbirds are a bit more half-court-oriented than in years past, but with their talent pool alone, a perennial playoff contender.

PIERCE RAIDERS

Coach: Bill Mendelson, ninth season.

2010-11 season: 23-7, 13-3 in NWAACC West (second place).

Player to watch: PG John Palmer, a transfer from Texas A&M International, is team’s undisputed leader already. Great scorer and ball-handler.

Skinny: Mendelson graduated all five starters from last season’s NWAACC runner-up squad. This is a deeper and more offensive-minded group.

SOUTH PUGET SOUND CLIPPERS

Coach: Curtis Norwood, second season.

2010-11 season: 4-20, 2-14 in NWAACC West (eighth place).

Player to watch: F Anye Turner goes way back with Norwood, and immediately gives the Clippers a big-time, must-see playmaker.

Skinny: By the end of last season, the team was decimated by injuries. This group is deeper with more scoring balance. Still finding its way.

TACOMA TITANS

Coach: Carl Howell, 14th season.

2010-11 season: 26-3, 16-0 in NWAACC West (first place).

Player to watch: Want to see the smooth-scorer prototype? Look no further than F Mark McLaughlin, a Seattle University transfer.

Skinny: Bigger squad with more offensive potential. If Howell can unlock more defensive pressure, it’s another conference title contender.

NWAACC WOMEN PREVIEWS

GREEN RIVER GATORS

Coach: Tim Riles, second season.

2010-11 season: 8-15, 5-11 in NWAACC West (seventh place).

Player to watch: Just recently, the Gators got F Cecilly Phillips back. She was their leading scorer and rebounder last season.

Skinny: Anything can happen in the wild, wild NWAACC West. Phillips and post Keryn Knight give the Gators legitimate front-court threats.

HIGHLINE THUNDERBIRDS

Coach: Amber Rowe Mosley, ninth season.

2010-11 season: 19-10, 14-2 in NWAACC West (second place).

Player to watch: If it is quick tempo you like, then PG Keana Magalei, of Lincoln High, should be fun to watch. She’s a big key in reloading.

Skinny: The roster is entirely freshmen this season, and in time the Gators should be able to unleash their in-your-face brand of defense.

PIERCE RAIDERS

Coach: Brian Purugganan, third season.

2010-11 season: 10-14, 8-8 in NWAACC West (fifth place).

Player to watch: F Unique Taufa’asua presents a very difficult inside-outside matchup for other teams’ players because of her strength.

Skinny: Pierce returns four starters and is starting to understand the Purugganan way – defensive transition. The team is a sleeper divisional contender.

SOUTH PUGET SOUND CLIPPERS

Coach: Michael Heuer, second season.

2010-11 season: 0-23, 0-16 in NWAACC West (ninth place).

Player to watch: F Alychia Colon, a Bethel High product, is a graceful glider on the court who turns double-double efforts rather easily.

Skinny: With Colon, Aisha Jones and Monteaka Norwood, the Clippers have three scorers. Can they put it all together and challenge?

TACOMA TITANS

Coach: Heidi Collier, third season.

2010-11 season: 11-15, 9-7 in NWAACC West (fourth place).

Player to watch: When the Titans need to knock down a key basket, they look for G Claire Swayze, a proven outside shooter.

Skinny: Quality pieces are in place, and TCC should get do-everything PG Anngelina Sanchez (ankle) back soon. Dangerous.