Oates Formulating New Master’s Plan

Life without Penberthy is about to start for The Master’s College men’s basketball team.

The Mustangs do have Joey Penberthy, but it was his brother, Mike, who made the Mustangs click.

“Mike is a very fine player and will be missed,” said Bill Oates, entering his fifth season with the Mustangs.

Mike Penberthy, a two-time NAIA Division I All-American, was the team’s catalyst the past three seasons. He averaged 27.5 points last season, when he moved to shooting guard to make room at point guard for Jerome Joseph.

With Penberthy showing the way, the Mustangs advanced to the NAIA tournament for the fourth consecutive season. They lost in the first round and finished 21-11.

But Penberthy graduated and is trying to make the cut with Idaho in the Continental Basketball Assn., so Master’s, which plays as an independent, has to find another leader.

The candidates include Joseph, a 6-foot sophomore, 6-3 senior forward-guard Jon Ordonio and 5-11 guard Jeremiah Cathey.

Joseph averaged 12.6 points and 5.3 assists last season, and Ordonio averaged 5.7 points. Cathey missed the season after wrist surgery.

Oates said Master’s will use more of a three-guard offense, with Penberthy most likely taking over the spot vacated by his brother. He averaged 4.1 points last season.

Chad Bell, a 6-8 junior transfer from Cerritos College, is expected to contribute on the front line.

“We have a real hard-working team,” Oates said. “But we have only two seniors and a lot of young players.”

The Mustangs, ranked 28th in the coaches’ NAIA preseason poll, open against Life Bible College at home Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.