DAVID NAKAGAMI
Staff Writer
The Waves won two of three games at home in late January. However, no one would have a clue that those would be the last wins they would see for the season. Pepperdine hit their worst stretch following that three-game homestand, losing seven straight games heading into the postseason.
The Waves limped into the West Coast Conference Tournament, drawing the bottom eight-seed after finishing conference play with 3-11 in-conference record. Pepperdine drew No.-5 seed San Diego in the first round. The teams split their two regular season meetings
The Waves were overwhelmed by San Diego’s play, as they leapt to a 37-27 lead at halftime. Pepperdine was unable to get out of the 10-point hole as the Toreros buried the Waves and their postseason hopes with a convincing 85-72 victory.
San Diego was fueled by the powerful play of CollegeInsider.com’s Freshman All-America Team member Brandon Johnson, who poured in a game-high 24 points (10-14 FG, 2-5 3PT). Johnson also snatched eight boards and dished four assists as the Toreros advanced in the tourney to face fourth-seeded San Francisco.
In his final collegiate game, senior Tashaan Forehan-Kelly ended his career on a high note, leading the team with 21 points (2-5 3PT, 13-18 FT), five rebounds and four dimes. Not to be overshadowed, freshman forward/center Chris Oakes tallied 18 points on an efficient 9-12 shooting from the floor and grabbed five boards in 28 minutes of play.
With the season over, there was time to reflect on what many see as a disappointing season. However, as freshman floor general Mike Gerrity said, the 2005-2006 campaign was a “learning experience.”
“We had a lot of young guys this season,” Gerrity said. “Hopefully we can learn from this season and improve for next season.”
While a record of 7-20 does not seem to leave room for many positive memories, Waves fans certainly had their share of excitement this season.
The season started with a bang, as national powerhouse UConn visited Pepperdine in front of a packed house and a national television audience. A late January matchup with conference rival LMU buzzed with electricity, as the Waves pulled out a critical 70-62 win at home.
The most anticipated game of the season lived up to its hype, as visiting Gonzaga brought their undefeated conference record to a standing-room-only Firestone Fieldhouse. In addition to Pepperdine regular and retired NBA great Reggie Miller, celebrities such as Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant, actor David Duchovny and TV personality Roger Lodge were in the house to take in the exciting contest.
Several individual accolades were awarded to various members of this season’s squad.
Senior guard/forward and fan favorite Keith Jarbo was named to the WCC All-Academic Team for the third consecutive year. A sports medicine major with a 3.73 GPA, Jarbo plans on attending medical school after graduation.
Forehan-Kelly was an honorable mention for the All-WCC Team. For the season, TFK led the Waves in scoring (15.5 ppg), rebounding (5.8 rpg), minutes (33.3 mpg) and 3-pointers (1.37 3pg).
Gerrity garnered two forms of recognition in his first collegiate season. First, he was named to the WCC All-Freshman team. Gerrity ranked second on the team with 14.1 points per game and 33.2 minutes played per contest.
In addition, his 1.86 steals per game was second best in the conference. Furthermore, CBSSportsline.com tabbed Gerrity as the Freshman of the Year in West Coast Conference.
“It shows that hard work pays off,” Gerrity said of the postseason honors. “I just need to keep improving, and the awards will come. But I really want those awards more to come as a team.”
The road to team honors will take a serious hit in the off-season, as the Waves will lose two valuable contributors to graduation. Forehan-Kelly and Jarbo led the team by example on the court and in the locker room. Forehan-Kelly’s offensive consistency and calm under fire as well as Jarbo’s energy and tenacity off the bench will leave large shoes to fill for next season. Two of the most recognizable faces on the team, Jarbo and TFK were held a special place in the hearts of the Pepperdine faithful.
Regardless, Waves fans can look forward to “a winning season” next year, Gerrity said.
“We won’t let this (season) happen again. We’re going to get some wins,” ensured the freshman.
Good news for the Waves is that next season is a new season, a clean slate. The eight-game losing streak with which they ended this year will not carry over to the next. With that said, Pepperdine will look to their more matured youth movement to help them become once again a force to be reckoned with in the West Coast Conference.
03-16-2006