Basketball Teams Kick Off Seasons

With both teams coming off outstanding seasons, the men's and women's basketball teams of Cal Maritime are ready to tip off the 2012-13 season. The women head to Southern Oregon for a three game tournament and the men host the Cal Maritime Classic.

Led by head coach Dave Covell, last year's lady Keelhaulers advanced to the California Pacific Conference championship. This year's team welcomes some impressive newcomers in Javier Brantley, Julia Tani, and Jordan Mootz who are expected to make an immediate impact. Cal Maritime will open with host Southern Oregon University. On Saturday, they will take on Northwest Christian and on Sunday the ladies wrap up the trip with a contest against New Hope Christian. The games will be available to be viewed through www.souraiders.com

Bryan Rooney, in his sixth year, returns after leading the men's team to the best season in school history as the Keelhaulers went undefeated in conference play including a California Pacific Conference tournament championship. The team advanced to the NAIA National Tournament. This year's team returns several key contributors in Howie Manzo, Ethan Guiles, Jaquai Wiley and Hamilton Chang. Adding to the returners are several key newcomers. The Keelhaulers open up the tournament against Multnomah University. In the early season, the Multnomah has been led by junior guard Austin Hodges and senior forward David Walker both of whom are averaging double figures in scoring. The second night Cal Maritime will play host to Northwest University from Kirkland, Washington and members of the always tough Cascade Conference. Northwest is coming off a tremendous 2011-12 season where they finished with a 29-5 record and advanced to the Elite Eight at the NAIA National Tournament. The Eagles are led by sophomore Michael Russo who comes into the tournament averaging 25 points per game and junior Michael Greene, a returning starter and honorable mention all conference performer. The fourth team in the tournament is Cal Maritime's fellow Cal Pac member William Jessup. William Jessup returns several key members as well as stellar recruiting class under head coach Aaron Muhic.

All four games will be web streamed and can be accessed through www.cmakeelhaulers.com. When viewers click on the display screen, they will have the ability to view full screen. Tip off for Friday night's games are 5:30pm (William Jessup and Northwest University) and 7:30pm (Cal Maritime and Multnomah University). Saturday night's games are set for 5:30pm (William Jessup and Multnomah University) and 7:30pm (Cal Maritime and Northwest University).

Go Keelhaulers!