Beacons Bolstering Their Forces

Bushnell had a solid run in the Cascade Conference post-season and head coach Eddie Alexander and his staff are ready for their squad to take the next step. The Beacons have looked to the recruiting trail to bolster their current roster and a couple of recent JC signings of former Oregon prep players will no doubt add to their talent level and experience.

Coming in from nearby Linn-Benton will be Gabe Townsend. The 6-foot-6 Gresham native who finished his high school career at Nelson High School was a standout for the Roadrunners the past two seasons, averaging 11.8 points and 5.9 rebounds this past year. He caught the attention of Alexander and his staff at a workout and Townsend was happy to make a pledge to the Beacons as he felt the school was the right fit.

"I think what helped me most is that the school is faith based," Townsend said. "They gave me a very generous offer after one open run, and it seems that they really appreciate my character as well as my game. I believe that I felt appreciated being there around their players and the coaches, like I was really wanted. I think the school will be a great test for my basketball career and my faith."

On the basketball floor, the versatile forward feels he'll be able to come in and contribute right away. "I see myself fitting like a glove honestly," Townsend said. "Their offense is really good at letting people do what they do in a sense, with other bigs on the roster as well I'll be able to stretch the floor how i like. I see myself being a reliant stretch 3-4, and making big plays with pick and pops, dho actions, and even catching lobs."

The past two seasons, Townsend has been one of head coach Todd Zimmerman's top players and he's grateful for how he developed the past couple of years. "My mentality is the biggest development," Townsend said. "For as much work as I was doing before I came to LB, I lacked the confidence in myself. After my two years at lb I've engraved it into myself to be well beyond just a practice guy. Getting the extra extra reps has helped balance my confidence in what I do."

Another frontcourt addition comes from Bend via Highline College in Washington is Ian Prictor. The former Mountain View standout adds some needed size and skill in the post with his 6-foot-8 frame and he bonded well with the coaching staff after making a trip to campus.

"First off they got me on a visit and I really enjoyed their visit," Prictor said. "They had really nice facilities and I really liked the location and I felt very welcome there. I just felt like it was the right place . What I liked about the school and the program is the coaches had a very solid program and good coaching and good values and that's what really drew me in."

Prictor was a presence this past season with Highline, averaging 11.0 points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds while shooting almost 55 percent from the field. His role won't change at Bushnell and that's something he's all good with.

"I see myself being a big and a role player on the floor back to the basket," Prictor said. "Just being a presence in the paint."

Townsend and Prictor join previous signees Drew Groenig (Southridge) and Joey Banry (North Eugene/Lane) as in-state additions in this year's recruiting class for Busnhell. Our congratulations go out to them and their families on their decisions.