Rough Men's Basketball Season Ends

The 2021-2022 Pasadena City College men's basketball team closed out one of the most difficult seasons in school history Friday night with an 89-60 loss to visiting Long Beach City College. The Lancers finished with an overall record of 1-26, matching the most losses in a season set by by the 1955-56 and 1997-98 squads and also the most defeats in the state this season.

In the modern era (post 1950), the one win tied for the lowest in PCC history, matched by the 1-22 Lancers of 1959-1960. Pasadena had just one sophomore on the roster in forward Joseph Rousseau and were unable to have a proper recruiting class with the late announcement of head coach Michael Swanegan retiring just before the season.

Interim head coach Hosie Ward valiantly tried to pick up the pieces, but restrictions in practicing due to the COVID-19 pandemic combined with a roster of many inexperienced freshmen put the team in a tough spot going into '21-22.

The Lancers placed fifth in the South Coast Conference North Division at 0-8 and were overwhelmed playing against taller, experienced lineups including losses against state #8-ranked East Los Angeles (twice), #10 Ventura, #11 Riverside, #21 LA Southwest, #27 Long Beach, #34 Mt. San Antonio and #35 Cerritos.

However, PCC also had its problems v. lesser opponents, losing to fellow conference last-place teams in Barstow (Inland Empire Athletic Conference), Santa Barbara CC (Western State North), and El Camino (South Coast South).

Devan Ford, who missed the last two games due to injury, led the team in scoring with a 17.8 points-per-game average. Ford also led the team in steals per game (2.3) and blocks (1.3). Speedy, 6-foot guard Jordan Flowers averaged 14.9 points per game, led the team at a 3.3 assists average, topped the squad in free throw accuracy (77 percent), and averaged 2 steals a game. Brandon Torimaru, who started in a team-high 24 contests, averaged 8.6 points and 1.9 steals.

Rousseau, the only player left from the 2019-2020 Lancers, averaged 5.9 points and 4.3 rebounds (116 total boards led the team). He had career highs with 18 points and 11 rebounds in a loss to Rio Hondo on Thursday evening. Nathaniel Carter, who missed the team's final five games, averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. Charles Jones contributed 4.5 points a game as part of the regular rotation off the bench. David Perry, who also was out the team's last five contests, was another reserve at 2 points and 1.4 assists per game. 

Le'Raun Peron, the son of PCC women's basketball long-time head coach Joe Peron, excelled in the final week of the season with 12 points and six rebounds v. LA Southwest and a 10-point, 6-board effort v. Rio Hondo. Eddie Vallin, who got some premium playing time in the final week, twice reached double digits in rebounds v. LASW (12) and Rio Hondo (11). Jason Miranda, who joined the team late in the season, made the most of his limited 22 minutes in the final week with 11 points, 3-for-4 on 3-point attempts and five assists.

Kevin Kioumejyan, who appeared in 19 games, supplied interior defense, and Eron Okpaku, another mid-season addition, was a strong defensive player in his time off the Lancers bench. 

PCC is currently in the selection process for new, full-time head coach for the 2022-2023 season.