Defending PCL champion Northwood captures league opener on the road over Uni 70-57

Trent Harper (left) and Seth Locke led Northwood to a win Tuesday night.

Northwood’s boys basketball team, the defending Pacific Coast League champion, seemed determined Tuesday night to keep the league title at its place.

The Timberwolves won their third game in a row overall defeating University 70-57 Tuesday night at University in the Pacific Coast League opener at Uni. Beckman and University appear to be the favorites going into the league race, but Northwood could be a factor too.

While there are many new faces on this year’s team, and an acting coach, Yousof Etemadi, who is filling in for Coach Tim O’Brien as he recovers from health issues, Northwood displayed many of the same characteristics Tuesday night which has led to success, including solid defense and a disciplined offense.

“We would like to protect it  (the title); obviously this is a different team than we had last year,” Etemadi said. “But we’re going to do our best to get back there (to a title). We’re just trying to get these young guys playing the game the right way.”

Seth Locke scored 26 points, Trent Harper had 18 points and Shandon Sharifi 12 points for the Timberwolves (5-7).

“We stuck to playing the right way and playing our brand of basketball,” Etemadi said. “They like to push the ball and shoot a lot of three’s. We tried to slow it down a little bit.

“Seth Locke had a monster game for us both on the offensive and defensive end. And it was a good road win for us; we’re finally putting it together a little bit. 

Etemadi was also pleased with the play of Harper.

“When he’s locked in for us, he’s really good,” Etemadi said.

University (9-6, 0-1) was led by Will Stenta, who had 21 points, but Stenta went down hard to the floor in the fourth quarter and had to leave the contest. He was being treated at a local hospital after being shook up and suffering a cut on his face, according to University Coach Mike Dinneen.

“We did not play well and Northwood did,” Dinneen said. “We had 18 turnovers against a team that did not pick you up until the top of the key. 

“Northwood’s defense forced us to make many ball-handling mistakes and they took away the three ball. We were 2 for 19. The game was all about tempo and we didn’t push the ball which is what we’re good at.”

Northwood led 32-27 at halftime and held a five-point lead going into the fourth quarter. University cut the lead to four before Northwood pushed its advantage back up to nine points.

BASKETBALL IN THE PCL GETS AN EARLY START

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com