Chapman a Pleasant Surprise So Far for Coach

When Bob Thornton, a former NBA player, and Richard Bossenmeyer, a former Orange High coach, joined his coaching staff, Chapman men’s basketball Coach Mike Bokosky relaxed a little.

At least he would be comfortable with his coaching staff, which also included second-year assistant Brian Wood. And now, Bokosky’s just as tickled with his entire team.

Bokosky feared the worst because his squad features no seniors, three freshmen and five sophomores. But the Panthers are a respectable 5-4, and the season has become more than just a rebuilding one.

“I’m really happy with where we’re at right now,” Bokosky said. “We’re much more competitive and a little better than I thought we were.”

Three of Chapman’s losses were narrow ones--two points to Whittier, three points to Redlands and five points in overtime to Cal Baptist. Chapman’s only blowout loss, a 37-point defeat Dec. 16, came against California Christian, a high-powered NAIA team that featured a 7-foot center.

“You get matchups like that with the difference in size and talent, the result for us is a total breakdown,” Bokosky said of his team, which has only three players 6-6 or taller. “That team is an NCAA Division I team masquerading as an NAIA team.”

That loss has been about the only major disappointment for Chapman.

Gil Gonzales, a junior transfer from Cypress College and Orange High, leads the team in scoring. He averaged 17 points and shot 54% from the field through eight games and has reunited with his former high-school coach, Bossenmeyer.

“Gil is a junior with some experience so we expected good things from him,” Bokosky said. “Sure having Richard around has helped Gil. But Richard’s helped everyone. He’s one of the best high-school coaches I’ve seen.”

Thornton is one of the best big men Bokosky ever recruited when he was an assistant at UC Irvine. Thornton played at Irvine from 1982-84 and was drafted by the New York Knicks. Thornton’s intensity has already rubbed off on the Panthers.

“He’s getting the young kids to play harder and more physical,” Bokosky said. “That’s something we really need.”

Bokosky credits Thornton for the improved inside play of Nate Strange, a sophomore from Fountain Valley High. Strange, 6-4, averaged 14 points and and a team-high seven rebounds through eight games.

Bokosky also said 6-7 freshman Shaun Murphy, from Mission Viejo High, has given the Panthers quality minutes in the post.

Outside scoring punch has come from Gonzales, junior Derek Mitchell, who averaged 12 points and was shooting 40% from three-point range, and freshman Tim Werdel from Santa Ana Valley High, who averaged 14 points and made 42% from three-pointers through eight games.

“Werdel is giving us 27 minutes a game and that’s been a pleasant surprise,” Bokosky said. “It’s been great having four coaches, especially with such a young team. We can microcoach more, and I think that’s made a big impact.

“It’s helped us to be better than I thought we’d be.”