Your future, our focus
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
A mostly new roster has made its way to Powell for the 2022-23 Northwest College men’s basketball season, with five rostered players returning from last year’s team.
Forward Juan Pablo Camargo makes his return to the Trappers after playing in 29 games and averaging 15.3 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting nearly 59% from the field last season.
“He had a terrific freshman year and he is going to be important to us,” coach Andy Ward said. “We really need to get more rebound production out of JP, we need more rebounding out of him but I am confident that he will be better.”
David Ayala is a guard/forward who returns to the Trappers, after playing in 29 games and finishing with an average of nine points on 41% shooting and 33.3% from 3-point range.
Returning for his third season on NWC will be guard Andre Loigu who played in 27 games and averaged 3.6 points per game on 45% shooting from the field.
Two additional rostered players for the Trappers will be guard Kolter Merritt from Star Valley coming off his redshirt season, and Mack Page from Worland, who joins Northwest after serving a mission over the past two years.
“Those guys are bringing a lot of toughness to the table,” Ward said. “They will be able to add something to this team that maybe other guys can’t.”
One player joining the NWC roster this season will be guard Davion McAdam, who graduated from Kelly Walsh and played at Casper College for a year in 2020-21.
Yannice Nlend is a guard who made his way to Powell from Quebec City, Quebec, and hopes to lead the Trappers as a floor general and defender.
“I have been very pleased with Yannice,” Ward said. “He is an extremely good on-ball defender and will be one of the best defenders in this region.”
Milton Rodriguez Santana is another guard from the Dominican Republic, who will play a similar role to Nlend.
Christian Adun is a 6-foot 7 inch forward from London, England, who can play both inside and out while trying to stay out of foul trouble blocking inside.
Will Hemme is a guard from Fort Collins, Colorado, who Ward hopes will be a strong communicator and leader on the court while bringing a balanced game.
Brash Emery comes to Powell from Kaysville, Utah, and brings more experience to a deep guard class.
“He is a little bit smaller guard, but he is really strong physically and has a good desire to get better,” Ward said.
Antwon Logan is a forward from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who is very vocal and brings effort at both ends of the floor.
“He is an energy guy,” Ward said.
Markeyse Hatcher is another player from Wisconsin, coming from Green Bay, who brings a score first mentality but is also willing to be a strong passer.
Max Postiglione comes to Powell from Brussels, Belgium. He plays on the wing and is improving in his understanding of what the program needs as a spot-up shooter and a defender.
Erick Mulibea is a center from West Valley City, Utah, who comes to Northwest as a player who can attack in a variety of ways.
Jean Carlo Villanueva and Jose Alberto Ortega Palatox join the team from Mexico but will be redshirts this season.
Eyod Helwani comes over to the United States from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and may be considered for a redshirt with no decision made.
Ward said that Mulibea may be considered for a redshirt as well after joining the program late but a decision has not been made.