As fall term begins to wind down, basketball season is just starting up. Linn-Benton men’s basketball enters the 2023 season surrounded by optimism following a promising 2022 campaign.
Last year, the Roadrunners finished second in the NWAC South en route to a playoff berth. Led by first-year head coach Todd Zimmermann, it was the team’s first time in the tournament since 2017, and the Roadrunners had two players receive All-NWAC South honors. A first-round exit in the playoffs put a damper on Linn-Benton’s success, but the season’s result still laid a foundation the team is excited to build upon in 2023.
“Man, it felt great!” said TJ Zimmermann, a sophomore forward for the Roadrunners. “I think everyone on the team last year came in knowing how the previous years had gone, and I fully believe that each and every one of us wanted to play our part in the turnaround … We really wanted to set up a culture for the team and program.”
2022’s roster was led by veterans such as forwards Ayden Foster and Jace Mills, guard Tyson Parker, and guard/forward Grant Dunn, all of whom have moved on from Linn-Benton. Now, it’s up for players like Zimmermann, who led the Roadrunners with 21 points per game last year, to take on more of a leadership role.
“I would say that my role has changed somewhat for sure and grown heading into this season,” said Zimmermann. “Everyone knew that there were certain leaders on the team last year that we all held a ton of respect for. Those guys truly helped build the culture in their final year. I’m looking forward to being able to lead and continue on what we were able to accomplish last year.”
The Roadrunners enter the 2023 season unranked in the NWAC preseason coaching poll, receiving nine votes overall. They share a division with the fifth-ranked Clackamas Cougars, and will face top-ranked Columbia Basin twice in their first 10 games. However, the Roadrunners still have high expectations heading into the season.
“Our goal is to win every day! Whether it’s weights or conditioning, practice, or a game, our goal is to win,” said TJ Zimmermannn. “We want to be champs of the NWAC South region, we want to make the tournament, and we want to win the tournament. Everyone here can feel the excitement and potential of this team.”
The Roadrunners lost some talented players during the offseason, but coach Todd Zimmermann also reloaded the Linn-Benton roster. Besides the team’s ten returning players, 11 new additions joined from both the freshman class as well as the transfer portal.
The returning players include TJ Zimmermann, who was First-Team All-NWAC South last year as well as the Freshman of the Year. He ranked fifth in the NWAC in scoring in 2022. Joining Zimmermann are returning sophomores such as guards Kamana Lapina and Kevin Sanchez, who combined for 30 games started last year, as well as wing Bennet Bos, who is expected to take on a larger role this season.
Against the Corban Gold squad in a training scrimmage earlier this year, the Roadrunners featured a starting five of sophomores TJ Zimmermann, Kamana Lapina, Bennett Bos, and freshmen Cade Smith and Michael Lundy. Reserves Liam Spencer, Micha Young, and Mesziah Ford each saw over 20 minutes of playing time as well. Linn-Benton won the game 93-65, with freshmen Young and Lundy leading the team in scoring with 17 and 14 points, respectively.
“We have more depth than a year ago,” said Todd Zimmermann. “We have more flexibility because of that depth.”
Coach Zimmerman added that he’s excited to watch Linn-Benton’s new-look team this season. “Every season is a gift, and like all good gifts, unwrapping them is as much fun as actually using what you find inside,” he said. “We have a really talented squad this year, but we also have a lot of really good young men on this team. The bond that we started making all the way back in August continues to grow stronger through all of our hard work, and I’m really excited about what this roster can do.”
Roadrunner fans will get to unwrap this year’s gift soon, as Linn-Benton begins its season with three straight home games. The Roadrunners will face Linfield JV, Lower Columbia, and Multnomah University JV on November 17, 18, and 28. All three games will start at 7:30 p.m.
“It meant a lot to be able to do what we did last year and make the tournament,” said TJ Zimmermann. “It didn’t end how we wanted it to, but that team has set the standard for what Linn-Benton basketball wants to be moving forward.”
