By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
Ottawa University men’s basketball coach Andy Carrier on Monday slapped the tag “incredible” on Phil McClintock’s performance this season for the Braves.
McClintock, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound junior out of Neosho High School, earned honorable mention NAIA Division II All-America honors for the Kansas school.
“Really, Phil, who’s unselfish, had an incredible year,” Carrier said. “He sees both ends of the floor as well as anyone I’ve coached. He’s been a great fit for us. He’s doing great academically, too.
“The most impressive part of McClintock’s season was that he placed among the conference (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) leaders in seven categories,” Carrier said.
McClintock, who moved into the Ottawa starting lineup as a sophomore, averaged 16.8 points and 7 rebounds. He shot 54.6 percent overall from the field — 45 percent from 3 — and 82.8 from the foul line.
McClintock totaled a leading 78 steals and added 81 assists and 44 blocked shots for the Braves (24-9 overall, KCAC champion at 14-4).
Ottawa lost to Friends in the postseason KCAC tournament before finishing 1-1 in the NAIA Division II National Tournament held at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Mo.
Leading scorer David Birch, a 6-1 junior from Olathe East, joined McClintock on the all-KCAC team and received third-team All-America honors.
The Braves lost 86-81 to ninth-seeded Bethel (Ind.) in the second round of nationals despite 28 points by Birch, 14 points and 10 rebounds by 6-4 junior Clint Brightman (from Oswego) and 13 points and three steals by McClintock.
“They (Bethel) were on fire the first half,” McClintock said. “But we made it a game at the end. We were within 5 points with three minutes remaining.”
McClintock, hitting 4-of-8 treys, scored 31 points to help the Braves beat eighth-seeded King (Tenn.) College 70-65 in the first round.
McClintock said Brightman, a transfer from Independence (Kan.) Community College, was a big help throughout the season.
“Clint moved into the starting lineup when our center (6-5 senior Clint Bones) went down with an injury late in the season,” McClintock said. “Clint (Brightman) had been our sixth man.”
Carrier, whose Braves logged their first win at nationals in their fourth trip in his 18 seasons, expects another strong season despite losing two senior starters.
“We’re looking for a point guard,” Carrier said, “but we anticipate having nine seniors next season. Matt Green, a 6-4 junior, also made the all-conference team (honorable mention).”
Carrier was the all-KCAC coach of the year and 5-9 senior Marquis Washington earned mention on the league all-defensive team.
Washington, from California, was the only non-Missouri/Kansas player on the varsity, Carrier said.
“We can’t wait for next season,” McClintock said. “I want to enter in my best physical condition. Plus, you always can improve your strength.”
McClintock, who wants to eventually coach at the high school or college level, said he plans to again remain in Ottawa for most of the summer.
“All of the main guys will be there,” McClintock said. “We get together, lift, work out and play pickup games. It helped a ton for this past season.”
Sports
McClintock wraps up big year
Neosho grad shines at Ottawa
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