Philly Gym Rat (The Perry “QM” McMullin Story)

[PointGuard]

Mom called today and when she put Pop on the phone, I knew something was wrong since Pop doesn’t like to talk on the phone.

He was a bit hesitant at first but finally said, “Son, we have a big problem. Sean’s drinking isn’t any better. But that’s not the big problem. The group he hangs out with is now somehow involved in drugs. I don’t think Sean is dealing, but your Mother and I am afraid he will go back to using drugs or will begin dealing drugs. So he’s either going to get all messed up on drugs or will eventually have a run in with the law. We can’t do anything with him. We just got to get him out of this area and away from the people he’s spending all his time with these days. Most of the other kids are too near Philly or have their hands full with their own families. Only Danny and you are far away, but Danny’s involved in music and travelling so couldn’t handle Sean plus too many in the music industry are doing drugs and liquor themselves so Sean would just get more involved. I know it’s a big imposition, but your Mother and I want you to consider taking Sean in for a while.”

I nearly choked as I struggled to make a reply. Finally I got out, “But Pop, how are you going to convince Sean to come to Bakersfield? He’s never going to do it. And how am I supposed to keep track of him? I’m living by myself and the team’s on the road at least once a week plus I seem to spend all my time at the college reviewing films, coaching practices, and trying to figure out a way to get this team winning.”

Pop was silent for a bit and I thought maybe he had hung up, but he eventually said, “Your mother has been giving that some thought and I think we’ve come up with a way to handle both of your questions. But no need to go into that now. What I need to know is if we can count on you to help the family out on this one?”

My stomach was tied up in a knot, but I was left with little to say but, “Pop, when you put it that way, how can I say anything but yes? When is this going to happen? How much time do I have to plan things out?”

Pop’s reply was, “Thanks, son. I’m not exactly sure about that. As I said, we have to get things set up on how we get Sean to agree to come to California and how we give you some assistance in dealing with him. As I said, I think your mother’s ideas on this are sound, but she and I need to talk more about it. It’s just that we couldn’t really do that until we were sure you’d step up to the plate. We’ll get back to you soon.”

With that, he was done talking on the phone. Mom came back on the phone and sounded like she had been crying while Pop and I had been talking. But she said, “Perry, your father and I are sorry to burden you with this but are really happy you’re willing to help.” She then moved on to her mothering to find out how I was doing and trying to find out about any possible new daughter-in-law.

When she hung up, I was left to think about what I had just agreed to do. How the hell was I going to pull this off?

[PointGuard]

Game #7: Dec. 1, 2012; Eastern Michigan Eagles (4-1) at CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (3-3)

Eastern Michigan has a good record, but this will be the first game they play on the road this year.

We had a good-sized crowd as the students and town seems to be not only excited by our addition of Jerell Brown but also by the our having a decent record after playing 5 of our first 6 games away.

After leading throughout the 1st half by as much as 10 points, we surrendered the lead in the last few minutes and finished the half tied at 28-28. While we allowed Eastern Michigan to hit 48% of their shots we also harassed them to make 14 turnovers. We made just 7 turnovers but didn’t shoot well (36%). Our top scorer was Jerell Brown with 10 points. The Eagles’ PF Monty Brooks hit 6 of 8 from the field and scored 15 points.
We fell apart in the 2nd half, allowing Easter Michigan to pull ahead and stay ahead. They outshot us and got control of their ball handling and passing to make few turnovers. The large crowd left disappointed.

Final Score: Eastern Michigan-69, CSU Bakersfield-60. CSU Bakersfield season record: 3-4.

Scoring leaders: Brown-24.

Rebound leaders: Hill-7, Rivera-5.

Assist leaders: 3 players with 2 each.

Player of the Game: Eastern Michigan’s SG Quyn Dickens-22 pts, 3 reb, 2 assists, 2 steals.

Coach’s Pat on the Back Award: SG Jerell Brown-24 pts, 3 reb, 1 assist, 4 steals.

Other notes: We only hit 37% of our shots and we let the Eagles knock down 48% of theirs. Eastern Michigan also drilled 13 of 23 from 3-point distance.

[PointGuard]

Game #8: Dec. 5, 2012; Virginia Tech Hokies (5-1) at CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (3-4)

We take on an ACC team tonight. Virginia Tech has a good record, but they haven’t beaten any really strong teams yet. So we may have a chance against them in our own arena, but we’ll need to play well.

We break out on top but Jerell Brown again gets into early foul trouble. He heads to the bench with 2 fouls with 13:16 remaining in the half and while we hold a 11-9 lead. From there we find the range and pull away to a 30-17 lead, only to let Virginia Tech score the next 11 points. We end up out-shooting (53% to 41%) and out-rebounding (19-11) the Hokies in the half.
Unfortunately the score is closer than that would indicate as we take a 40-34 lead to the locker room. Andrew Powers scores 11 to lead us offensively.

We put together a strong 2nd half, shooting, rebounding, and defending well. Our fans got into it and our players responded to their cheers. That resulted in a double digit lead that we held most of the latter portion of the 2nd half.

Final Score: CSU Bakersfield-74, Virginia Tech-64. CSU Bakersfield season record: 4-4.

Scoring leaders: Brown-24, Powers-11, Chase-9, Settles-8.

Rebound leaders: Williams-6, Settles-5, Brown-5.

Assist leaders: Hill-4, Settles-3.

Player of the Game: SG Jerell Brown-24 pts, 5 reb, 5 steals.

Coach’s Pat on the Back Award: C Mike Settles-8 pts, 5 reb, 3 assists.

Other notes: We controlled the ball so well in the 2nd half. We ended up with just 11 turnovers while causing the Hokies to turn the ball over 16 times. We worked the boards well, out-rebounding Virginia Tech 36-28. We hit 49% of our shots while the Hokies hit 43%.

[Wayne23]

Take THAT, ACC!

[PointGuard]

Mom called again. She’s very worried about Sean. She said that she and Pop got Brianna (Bree) who is my baby sister to agree to help by saying she wanted to come back to California. They then went to Sean and said they needed someone in the family to accompany her on the trip west and stay while she got her feet on the ground here. My mother is a sneaky woman. Approaching it this way avoided Sean resisting as he would likely have done if they had indicated in any way that they wanted to help and protect him. Mom said that having Bree here also would help since keep tabs on Sean she knew I was spending a lot of time at work and had to travel most every week.

But now there are two rather than one coming to live with me. I live in a one-bedroom apartment so I told Mom that I needed to find a new place to live, but would try to do so as quickly as possible. As I told her that, though, I was thinking, “Just what I need in the middle of the season.” But family is family.

After giving it some thought after the call concluded, I call my assistants and add a few new responsibilities to each so that I could take the time to look for a new place to live and get things set up for the arrival of my brother and sister. Fortunately our recruiting is concluded, so Gerrod Hedde, my 3rd assistant coach, has a bit more time available than he would have had otherwise.

The next morning my search for new lodgings begins. We’re at a point of the season where the next 3 games are on the road and are long trips, so I enlist a couple of people in the athletic department to help find me a place to live.

[PointGuard]

Game #9: Dec. 8, 2012; CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (4-4) at Evansville Purple Aces (1-4)

Evansville is led by senior PG Brennan Yeaton, the nephew of Mateen Yeaton of Tim Moungey’s DDSPB Jestor Dynasty. Brennan Yeaton is scoring at a 19.0 ppg clip. All of Evansville’s losses have been on the road.

Brennan Yeaton gets two driving layups in the first 1-1/2 minutes to give Evansville a 4-0 lead. Evansville held a small lead throughout most of the half, but we kept things close and left the court trailing 39-35. Both teams hit 52% of their shots. Kevin Hill led our scoring with 7 points. Brennan Yeaton dropped in 11 for Evansville.

Evansville maintained a small lead in the 2nd half until the 9:42 mark when Jerell Brown hit a 3 to put us ahead 53-51. Evansville made a series of turnovers that allowed us to score the next 13 points expanding our lead to 66-51. On the basis of a very strong final 10 minutes we win easily.

Final Score: CSU Bakersfield-70, Evansville-56. CSU Bakersfield season record: 5-4.

Scoring leaders: Brown-18, Chase-14, Hill-10, Rivera-8.

Rebound leaders: Chase-5, Rivera-5, Chase-5.

Assist leaders: Hill-5, Brown-5, Holmes-3.

Player of the Game: SG Jerell Brown-18 pts, 3 reb, 5 assists, 3 steals.

Coach’s Pat on the Back Award: PF Johnny Chase-14 pts, 5 reb, 1 assist, 2 steals.

Other notes: We dropped in 51% of our FG attempts. The Purple Aces hit 41% of theirs. We out-rebounded Evansville 27-23. Even though we made way too many turnovers (20), we forced Evansville to make 26 turnovers. Brennan Yeaton finished with 23 points for Evansville.

Our RPI is now 118th best in the nation…not fantastic but the best we’ve had in the time I’ve been here.

Our 5-4 record is the second best in the Great West. New Jersey Tech has a 7-3 record thus far. Their two most recent wins were against Big Twelve Conference Baylor and Pac-12 Conference Oregon State. While neither of those teams is a powerhouse in their respective conference, the Highlanders beat both of these teams from top-flight conferences while playing on the road. New Jersey Tech’s RPI is presently 47th best in the country. So it looks like New Jersey Tech may be the team to beat in our conference this year. The Highlanders are doing it through a real team effort with no one player serving as their go-to guy.

[Wayne23]

Good win, Coach. 51% shooting is not too shabby!

[PointGuard]

Game #10: Dec. 12, 2012; CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (5-4) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-5)

Four of Nebraska’s starters are scoring between 9.4 and 13.1 ppg, so there’s no way to key on any one player. I’m still trying to find someone who can run the team as a 1. I am going to start Rashun Kamara at PG tonight to see if he will step up. We’ve been working this week on getting the ball inside more, but that could go well or be a big downfall for us as we try to implement it against Nebraska.

8 of our first 11 points are scored by our big guys, and we’re tied at 11-11 with 13 minutes to play. We self-destructed after that. We ended the half down 34-25 after turning the ball over 8 times and hitting just 35% of our shots. Our starting center, Mike Settles led our scoring with 8 points and our starting PF Johnny Chase pulled down 7 rebounds.

Jerell Brown began hitting his shots in the 2nd half and almost single-handedly brought us to within 3 at 57-54 with 2:03 remaining. But at that point neither team was able to score. So we called a couple time out with 18 seconds left to set up a 3-point shot, checked their defensive setup and called another. The play was botched and a 16 foot jumper went off the rim but we corralled it with 10 seconds left. I called our last time out and again set up a 3-point shot for Andrew Powers. Kevin Hill couldn’t get the pass to Powers, so he lofted up a 3 from the head of the key with 3 seconds to go…the clang seemed to just reverberate around the sports center...and with that the game was over. With the comeback we made, it was disappointing to go scoreless in the final 2 minutes, thus not giving us a chance to pull off a win.

Final Score: Nebraska-57, CSU Bakersfield-54. CSU Bakersfield season record: 5-5.

Scoring leaders: Brown-20, Settles-14.

Rebound leaders: Chase-9, Brown-6, Powers-5.

Assist leaders: Kamara-5, Chase-4.

Player of the Game: Nebraska’s SG Steve Sanders-14 pts, 10 reb, 2 assists, 1 steal.

Coach’s Pat on the Back Award: SG Jerell Brown-20 pts, 6 reb, 1 assist.

Other notes: We outscored the Cornhuskers from the field and hit 38% of our shots to their 35% shooting. But Nebraska got 8 more free throws, scoring 6 more points from the line than did we and that was the game. We held a 38-34 rebounding advantage but made two more turnovers than Nebraska (13-11).

It was a tough loss for our team, but after the game I let them know I'm proud of the defense we played in the second half, limiting Nebraska to just 19 points and letting them know I thought it was a very strong comeback. It simply came down to the Nebraska fans rallying their team to match our defense in the last 2 minutes.

After the game, I considered how my pre-game changes worked out:

1. Our effort to get the ball inside was somewhat successful, but only Mike Settles was able to take advantage, hitting 6 of 11 FG and 2 for 2 from the line to score 14 points. But ultimately our 2nd half comeback came as the result of Jerell Brown taking control and hitting some key shots outside.

2. Rashun Kamara’s start at PG was moderately successful as well. He scored 7, had 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal while making 3 turnovers in 26 minutes of play. This leaves me in a quandary whether to start him in the next game or go back to my pre-season pick, Kevin Hill. Hill hasn’t responded as well as I had hoped in the transition from SG to PG, but Kamara has been inconsistent as has been Carlos Holmes, my other PG.

[PointGuard]

Game #11: Dec. 15, 2012; CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (5-5) at Murray St. Racers (4-5)

Murray State has only played two of their 9 games at home, winning them both. They hit a high percentage of their shots, so we are going to have to play some tough defense to have a fighting chance. They are led by SF John Williams (16.0 ppg).

I decide to start Kevin Hill since he is stronger defensively than Rashun Kamara.

Kevin Hill made 3 turnovers in the first 2-1/4 minutes of play earning him a quick journey to the far end of the bench. After dropping behind 6-2, we put together some good stops and crept out to a 15-10 lead at the 12:15 mark. Jerell Brown, who had scored 10 of our 15 points, picked up his 2nd foul at that point. With Brown riding the bench, Murray State moved out to a 5 point lead but we reeled them back in to finish the half down by a single point, 30-29. Jerell Brown’s 10 points led our scoring.

We scored 9 points in under 2 minutes to start the 2nd half while holding the Racers scoreless. We maintained between a 4 and 10 point lead from that point, stubbornly keeping the Racers from pulling even. Murray State muscled up a shot with a minute left to make the score 66-61 in our favor. They immediately fouled, but Carlos Holmes, our best foul shooter, cleanly made both free throws. They lofted up a 3 which rebounded out to Carlos Holmes, who again was fouled resulting in 2 more sweet foul shots giving us a 70-61 lead with 34 seconds to go. Murray State took it inside to their leading scorer tonight, Lance Grimes, who was fouled on the shot. He made the first but missed the second. Carlos Holmes was again fouled on our possession. This time he made only 1 of 2 but by then the game was sealed.

Final Score: CSU Bakersfield-71, Murray State-62. CSU Bakersfield season record: 6-5.

Scoring leaders: Brown-22, Holmes-11, Powers-10, Settles-8, Chase-8.

Rebound leaders: Settles-8, Johnson-7, Chase-5.

Assist leaders: Settles-3.

Player of the Game: SG Jerell Brown-22 pts, 2 reb, 1 assist, 1 steal.

Coach’s Pat on the Back Award: C Mike Settles-8 pts, 8 reb, 3 assist.

Other notes: Murray State outshot us 47% to 42% (mainly because they dominated offensively in the paint 26-18). But we held a clear advantage on rebounds (33-21) and turnovers (19-15) which gave us more opportunities. We also outscored them on second chance opportunities (13-5) and fast-break points (18-13).

Our dilemma remains at PG. Kevin Hill just doesn’t seem to be able to get comfortable there. Not only is his A/TO ratio a horrible 0.7, but his shooting has been poor, quite unlike what he did last year. Both Rashun Kamara or Carlos Holmes have played well at times and terrible at others.

[PointGuard]

With the help of several people, I found a house to rent and was able to work out a satisfactory resolution to conclude my apartment lease. The new house is a 3 bedroom with a small yard, so little upkeep. I will be able to move in the first of January. Sean and Bree will be arriving on January 3rd. I have no idea how all this will work out and am entering into this with a great deal of trepidation. Sean’s seven years older than me and thinks of me as a little brother, so I doubt he will listen to me much. Bree is a great girl but still hasn’t really settled down. It’s also hard to know how both of them will adapt to living in Bakersfield. All-in-all it’s going to be a tremendous challenge for all three of us.