Time to reload. For the first time in three years the Seattle Pacific University men's basketball program finds itself searching for more than just a couple starters in the offseason. The Falcons, who went 24-5 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs, will be seeking an NCAA tournament berth for the sixth year in a row in 2002-03. To do so they must replace three graduated starters, two of them all-conference performers at least the past two years.

Quite a season. Although they were stopped short of the NCAA Sweet 16 for only the third time in the last eight seasons, the Falcons accomplished some remarkable feats. The final national ranking of No. 9 equals the best in 59 years of varsity play (the '66 squad was the other), the 24 victories ranks No. 2 all-time (the 2000 team notched 27) and from Nov. 17-Jan. 24 SPU won a school-record 15 consecutive games. They were co-champions of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and an opening-round, 82-57 playoff win over BYU Hawaii was largest margin of victory in NCAA play since 1965. In addition, the team established a new record for free throw accuracy (.773).

A class act. Without a doubt, an 89-82 loss to Humboldt State in the second round of the West Regional Mar. 8 marked the end of an era. Completing their respective careers were center Eric Sandrin (Sr., 6-10, Bothell, Wa./Shorecrest), forward Brannon Stone (Sr., 6-9, Oak Harbor, Wa.) and guard Nick Johnson (Sr., 6-3, Burlington, Wa./Burlington-Edison). In fact, that game was perhaps Sandrin's finest of his two-year stay; he matched his career-high with 23 points (8-12 FGs) and also grabbed 10 rebounds. Stone and Johnson, who played a part in 95 wins during their four-year careers, also had outstanding regional performances. Johnson scored 27 points in the BYU Hawaii contest and passed for a career-high nine assists vs. Humboldt. Stone snared 16 rebounds in the two games and fired five three-pointers over the Lumberjacks.

A solid start. Coach Ken Bone must replace two all-conference performers in Johnson and Stone, but he's already got a solid foundation in place. Yusef Aziz (Jr., 6-4, Seattle, Wa./Foster-Highline CC) was the newcomer of the year in the GNAC and the Falcons' leader in scoring (16.2), steals (1.7) and field goal percentage (.548). Point guard Maurice Cato (Jr., 6-0, Fairfield, Ca.) is also due back after averaging 10.4 points, 2.8 assists and hitting 51 treys. The team's two top reserves­forwards Daniel Sandrin (Jr., 6-7, Bothell, Wa./Bothell) and Gene Woodard (Jr., 6-4, Edmonds, Wa./O'Dea)­are capable of stepping into starting roles as seniors. Together, they averaged 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and shot 55 percent.

Two down, two to go. Bone got a head start on his rebuilding by redshirting a couple freshmen and by signing two recruits last fall. Tony Binetti (6-1, Enumclaw, Wa.) was an all-state point guard who led his team to third place in the state 4A tournament. Another early signing was Dustin Bremerman (6-4, Yakima, Wa./Eisenhower). Binetti scored 18.2 points this past season while Bremerman averaged 21.2 and 6.5 rebounds as a senior in 2001. They join redshirts Jeff Knudson (6-6, Mukilteo, Wa./Kamiak) and Mike Bushmaker (6-7, Yakima, Wa./Eisenhower) as freshmen on next year's squad. Bone expects to sign one or two more recruits after the spring signing period begins Apr. 10.

For the record. Stone will long be remembered for his role in four of the finest teams ever to represent SPU. A four-year starter with a complete package of skills, he was a three-time all-conference selection and led the team in assists, rebounds and blocked shots each of his four seasons. The record book lists him as the all-time leader in blocks (272), No. 2 in steals (191), No. 3 in rebounds (840), No. 5 in scoring (1394) and No. 6 in assists (433). His 221 three-pointers are No. 2, behind only Jeff McBroom (259). Johnson (.891) just missed breaking the season standard (.902) for free throw accuracy and tied for No. 7 (.827) career-wise. His 50-percent three-point shooting as a junior rates No. 3 all-time.

Summer camps coming up. The Falcons will offer basketball day camps for boys from ages 5-17 at the pavilion this summer. Sessions are July 8-11 and July 15-18, the cost is $95 and includes a ball and t-shirt. Registration forms are available by calling (206) 281-2085 or here on The Falcons Online

Put-backs.

• Bone said next season¹s non-conference scheduling is taking shape. Minnesota-Duluth will be among the teams for the 11th annual Vitamilk Tip-Off Classic in November. Rather than Las Vegas, the team will play a pre-Christmas tournament in San Antonio Dec. 16-17
• Bone could become the school¹s all-time leader in coaching victories next season. He trails the legendary Les Habegger (1957-74) by a count of 267-251. Bone has averaged 20.9 wins per season over 12 years and his teams have won 72 percent of their games. SPU was one of only four teams in Div. II to make the NCAA tournament for the fifth year in a row this season and the only team to do so in the West Region
• The five losses equaled the fewest in team history
• For the 11th time in the last 13 years the host of the West Regional advanced to the Elite Eight. Cal State San Bernardino defeated Humboldt State 80-65 in the championship game. The Coyotes were beaten by Metro State in the national quarterfinal round, and Metro State went on to defeat Kentucky Wesleyan in the nationally-televised NCAA championship game, 80-72 Mar. 23
• In the final statistical reports, Johnson led the GNAC and was eighth in NCAA free throw accuracy. Stone was third in conference assists and fifth in blocked shots. Cato (.835) was seventh in GNAC free throw percentage and Aziz was seventh in field goal percentage, eighth in scoring and ninth in steals. His nine steals vs. Northwest College was the most in the conference this season and ranks No. 2 in SPU records. The team¹s 19 steals vs. Lock Haven equaled a school record
• This marked only the third time since 1984 that five players finished averaging 10 or more points per game
• The Falcons led the GNAC in free throw and field goal percentage (.492), scoring (67.6) and field-goal percentage (.415) defense and scoring margin (+14.1). Nationally, Seattle Pacific was fourth in free throw percentage and 13th in field goal percentage. Incidentally, in conference games only, SPU shot .505 from the field
• Seattle Pacific finished up 20-1 when leading at the half, with 10 minutes left and with 5 minutes to go. It was 21-2 when out-rebounding opponents and 21-1 when shooting 45 percent or higher
• Stone came within one steal of tying Scott Campbell (1990-93) for the career mark
• Stone led the team with five double-doubles while Eric Sandrin and Aziz had three
• Bone is due to have his largest senior class in 2003 with eight returning for their final year. That group includes Cato, Aziz, Woodard, Daniel Sandrin, Jesse Keely (Jr., 6-7, Fircrest, Wa./Bellarmine), Adam Harris (Jr., 6-0, Fox Island, Wa./Gig Harbor), Aaron Bellessa (Jr., 6-2, Federal Way, Wa./Decatur) and Joe Sundberg (Jr., 6-1, Longview, Wa./Mark Morris-Skagit Valley CC). There were seven seniors in 2000.