Familiar Name Propels The Master’s Fast Start

A break in the Penberthy era at The Master’s College will coincide with the millennium, appropriate because the name has been synonymous with the school’s athletic success through the 1990s.

Joey Penberthy, a 6-foot-2 guard, is a senior who has improved every season. He also is the last of three brothers to star at Master’s.

Michael Penberthy, who played from 1993-97, is the school’s scoring leader in a career (2,616 points) and in a season (852).

Aaron Penberthy was a standout baseball player from 1996-99 and Jonathan Penberthy is a sophomore at Fresno Hoover High who undoubtedly will be recruited by Master’s Coach Bill Oates.

Joey has done nothing to diminish the family name, leading the Mustangs with an 18.5 scoring average last season and a 21.2 scoring average through nine games this season.

“Joey is a quiet leader, but real solid,” Oates said. “And he’s a real good competitor.”

Penberthy’s strength is shooting, and the addition of Dominic Avila at point guard has freed him to focus on scoring. Avila is a transfer from East Los Angeles College who has helped Master’s to a 7-2 start before a weekend tournament in Pensacola, Fla.

The Mustangs, an NAIA independent, won their own tournament and have lost only to Fresno Pacific and Westmont. Their most significant victories are against Cal Poly Pomona and Biola.

Success is expected under Oates, who has taken Master’s to the NAIA national tournament in each of his five seasons.

After a slow start last season, the Mustangs rattled off 12 consecutive victories to qualify for the Far West Regionals, where they defeated Christian Heritage. At the nationals, they upset Georgia Southwestern before losing to Oklahoma Baptist.

“The last half of the season certainly was rewarding,” Oates said. “We came on and played really good basketball.”

Two other senior starters return besides Penberthy.

Joclin Julmist, a 6-5 forward from the Bahamas, has ranked among the nation’s top rebounders for three years. Julmist, who averaged 13.3 rebounds and 7.0 points last season, missed the first eight games this season with a broken foot but grabbed 15 rebounds against Biola in his return.

Reggie McFerren, a 6-5 forward, averaged 16.7 points and gives Master’s a second outside scoring threat. McFerren missed the first half of last season with a knee injury but is fully recovered.

In the post is Jacy Armbruster, a strong 6-6 offensive force who averages 17 points and 8.1 rebounds. His play was key to last season’s surge. Armbruster became a starter at mid-season and scored in double figures 17 times.

Among top reserves are sophomore forward Bas Van Rhee of Thousand Oaks High, who started when Julmist was injured and averaged 5.6 rebounds, and 5-8 point guard Kenny Jackson, a transfer from Compton College where he was most valuable player.

The Mustangs lost a key reserve when senior guard Todd Whittington was lost for the season with a ruptured disc. Whittington averaged 10.9 points last season.

“If we stay healthy we have a real good team,” Oates said. “We’ve definitely gelled more quickly than last year, but we still have a lot of improving to do.”