Team of the Week: Palomar College could challenge for JC hoops supremacy this season

The path to success among men’s basketball programs in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference runs through San Diego City College.

The Knights have won two straight PCAC titles and three of the last four since the California Community College Athletic Association lumped all the San Diego and Imperial County schools into the same conference.

But there could be a challenge to SDCC’s domination this season.

Palomar College is off to a 10-4 start and is 2-0 in PCAC play.

“We know what we’re capable of,” Comets’ head coach Ivan Patterson said earlier this week. “I think every game comes down to us. We didn’t play Comet basketball that night. When we play our way, I believe in my heart that we’re a special team.

“The question is, ‘Are we doing what we’re supposed to do?’”

Palomar was ranked 17th in the state in the 3C2A men’s basketball poll released Monday. San Diego City College is 18th. All four Palomar losses this season have come to teams ranking among the top 25 in California.

“We have a lot more size than last year,” said Isaiah Pomare, the Comets’ leading scorer and rebounder. “But our strength is the ability to move the ball on offense and work for the easier shot and be able to play multiple roles on defense.”

Pomare, a 6-foot-5 sophomore out of El Camino High School, plays both forward and guard for the Comets. He’s averaging 19.6 points and 9.3 rebounds a game.

Pomare’s at his best playing on the perimeter offensively and defensively. But last season, he was the tallest player on the Palomar roster and spent more time at the post and guarding the opposition’s biggest player.

“I was very happy to see Justin White join us this season,” Pomare said.

White is only an inch taller at 6-foot-6, but he is a solid 220 pounds and is accustomed to playing the post on defense. After making stops at Cal State Fullerton and Cal State San Marcos, the White is averaging 12.4 points and 4.9 rebounds a game.

And as Pomare learned Wednesday morning at practice, White — a product of Mission Hills High School — picked Palomar College after a season away from basketball after seeing Pomare playing the No. 5 spot on defense.

“One reason I came here was to help Isaiah out,” said White. “I definitely thought about that, getting him away from the inside. Pomare is a good all-around player. He’s the highest jumper on the team. And we’re much better with him on the perimeter.”

White at the post and Pomare as a guard fit nicely into Patterson’s four-guard scheme.

“Guards become more valuable the deeper you get into the season,” said Patterson, who is in his fourth season as the Palomar head coach. “Starting with Pomare, we’re deep in guards who can play.”

Angel Ochoa (Victory Christian High School) is Palomar’s point guard. The 5-foot-10 freshman is averaging 13.4 points and 4.6 assists a game while shooting 50% from the floor. The other starting guards are 6-2 sophomore Jaidyn Norman (11.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game) and either Braylon Hollins or Drew Pierce (6.4 points), a pair of 6-2 freshmen. Norman was a second-team all-PCAC pick last season.

But what provides a difference for Palomar are a pair of reserves – 6-foot freshman guard Benjie Nudo (Del Norte High School, 10.8 points a game) and 6-5 sophomore swingman Tore-Andre Gray (8.4 points a game).

The keys, however, are the relationship of White and Pomare with Ochoa running the offense. Patterson coached all three on club teams while they were also in high school.

“It has been exciting to watch Isiah and White develop their games together,” said Patterson. “Having Justin inside has helped Pomare develop on the outside without having to worry about playing low-post defense against bigger players.

“Pomare is still very capable of guarding bigger players and does. But he’s much more comfortable now shooting on the perimeter. I think he’s an exceptional talent, a Division I talent. He’s always played outside his position until this year, and he’s blossomed in this new role. He never before had the chance to develop on the perimeter. He hasn’t scratched the surface yet.

“And White’s best basketball is ahead of him. What I really like is how both White and Pomare recognize the importance of the other player to his game.”

Pomare is shooting 50.9% from the floor, White 57.3%. As a team, Palomar is averaging 84.9 points a game while shooting 46.8%.

“I was ecstatic to see White join us,” said Pomare. “He made it possible for me to move into my best position.”

Said White: “I won’t say I’m a big man. But I can guard bigger men. I’ve been doing that my whole life. I’ve always been the biggest guy on a short team. But I can use my speed and strength. What’s happened is this team has bonded really well together. Moving the ball around is the best thing we do. We can shoot, but we like to get it to the basket.”

Every week, U-T contributor Bill Center highlights one San Diego college team that’s making strides on and off the field. To nominate a team, email wcenter27@gmail.com.