Story Photos
 Mark Morris post man Eric Hutchison applies some defensive pressure against Kelso during a game last season at the Rose Garden in Portland. Bill Wagner / Daily News file photo
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Monarchs' Hutchinson looking forward to being a Griz
Friday, November 21, 2008 11:36 PM PST
By Rick McCorkle
Printable version
E-mail this articleThe lure of playing in front of capacity crowds and a fanatical student section at the University of Montana sounded appealing to Mark Morris senior Eric Hutchison. So he decided to go Griz.
“I visited the school and watched a football game, and saw their amazing student section and how the fans react,” the 6-foot-9 Hutchison said. “They are very enthusiastic about their sports, and I think it’ll be a good environment to play in.”
Hutchison, who is interested in a degree in business management, passed on more than a half-dozen offers from other Division I schools when he inked a letter of intent to play men’s basketball for the Montana Grizzlies beginning next fall.
Although Hutchison officially signed with the Big Sky Conference school on Nov. 12, a ceremony was held at Mark Morris on Thursday that was attended by his parents, coaches and a few dozen classmates.
“We are very excited to have Eric join our program,” Montana men’s basketball coach Wayne Tinkle said on the school’s Web site. “We identified him a couple of years ago in the recruiting process as our kind of post player.”
Tinkle also was impressed with Hutchison’s athleticism. As a junior, he averaged 10.3 points and 8.7 rebounds while earning all-Greater St. Helens 2A League first-team honors. He also led the Monarchs to their fifth consecutive District 4 crown, and a third-place finish at the Class 2A state tournament.
“What I really like about him is his motor,” Tinkle said. “For a big man, he really plays with a lot of emotion and intensity. He comes from an outstanding high school program at Mark Morris, and we know he has been taught great fundamentals. I think he will remind people of some of our good post players from the past.”
The Big Sky Conference also features three former MM players. Josh Wilson is a senior guard at Northern Arizona, Mickey Polis is a senior point guard at Portland State and Brady Bergeson is an assistant coach at Sacramento State.
“The University of Montana has a tradition-rich basketball program, and its boosters take basketball very seriously,” MM coach Bill Bakamus said. “The games are played before thousands of fans and sellout crowds at home. Eric will be a perfect fit because he can perform at a high level.”
Former Montana coaches include Jud Heathcote, current Cal head coach Mike Montgomery and former UM star Larry Krystkowiak, who guided the Grizzlies to the NCAA Tournament two consecutive seasons before leaving to coach the Milwaukee Bucks.
This season’s Montana roster has a distinct Washington flavor with former Brewster High standout and Eastern Washington transfer Michael Taylor, Ferris High grad Shawn Stockton and ex-Gig Harbor standout Mathias Ward. In addition, former Edmonds College men’s basketball coach Nate DuChesne is an assistant under Tinkle.
“They work the ball inside a lot, which is a good thing for me,” said Hutchison, who transferred from Kalama to Mark Morris after his freshman year. “They play a lot of inside ball and they have a good tradition. I also like the coach a lot. I considered Pepperdine, Sacramento State and Portland State, but Missoula is a good college town and a good environment.”
Hutchison sat behind a table flanked by his parents, Kat Hutchison and Jim Mooney, and Coach Bakamus during the signing ceremony as teammates sat munching their lunches.
“Two words best describe Eric — patient and humble,” MM athletic director Robert Blackman said. “Eric is a patient person, and as a post player you have to be patient and not make your moves quickly. He’s also humble and very selfless, which are great attributes to have.”
Blackman also noted that Hutchison is one of the most highly-touted players to come off the MM campus in many years.
“He hasn’t let any of it go to his head,” Blackman said. “Eric has found that it’s more important to serve than to be served.”
MMFAN wrote on Nov 22, 2008 8:44 AM:
TheGenius wrote on Nov 22, 2008 9:57 AM:
mr.right wrote on Nov 23, 2008 7:01 PM:
zagmama wrote on Nov 23, 2008 10:47 PM:
Best of luck to you Eric! "
mr.right wrote on Nov 24, 2008 9:01 PM:
zagmama wrote on Nov 24, 2008 10:35 PM:
where I come from,"noticed" does not mean recruited. However if one follows your logic about great basketball coaching and the notoriety that comes from playing for MM..you would have to wonder why UCLA didn't look for him once he switched schools. Quit being such a hater of good people who are happy for Eric, the talented individual. Get over it. "
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