Just 2 weeks ago he was assisting at Pasco High. Now he’s leading CBC men’s basketball

Bryan Edwards has been involved with thousands of area youth basketball players for at least six years now through his basketball development program called Bryan Edwards Basketball.

The 2006 Pasco High School graduate was even going to be the top assistant coach this season for new Pasco High boys head coach Jamelle Juneau.

But he got a phone call on the first day of Bulldogs practice Nov. 18.

It was from Columbia Basin College athletic director Scott Rogers.

CBC men’s head coach Rolando Garcia, came back from an opening weekend of the season with the Hawks and resigned.

“He resigned for personal reasons,” said Rogers. “I have no further explanation than that. That sent us into panic mode because we just came off a season-opening tournament and leave again Friday.”

Garcia, who had been the men’s basketball coach at CBC for 10 seasons, did not return messages from the Herald about his decision to step down.

Rogers reached out to multiple people over the rest of that afternoon.

“By 10 p.m. that night, we had three strong possibilities,” he said. “We were basically asking people to drop what they were doing and help us out. Not an easy thing for even the most willing candidate to do.”

Answering the call

But Edwards answered the call — although it took some convincing from Juneau and Edwards’ family and friends to take it.

“I was expecting to coach those boys at Pasco High,” he said.

Edwards uses the CBC gymnasium for his basketball training, and was on his way to CBC to pay Rogers the monthly rent for gym use when he got the call.

“Most of our players are familiar with Bryan (through his training), and when he committed to being available, we moved on it,” said Rogers. “Ken Owens remains as an assistant.”

Owens, in fact, was Rogers’ first call.

Owens, a former star basketball player at the University of Idaho, has been CBC’s assistant coach for 30 years.

“Ken has no desire to be head coach,” said Rogers. “Most likely his work schedule just allows him to be present at practices and games. He knows there is more to it and can’t commit to the extras.”

As excited as Rogers was to get Edwards, Edwards seems even more ecstatic — and nervous.

“It’s been kind of crazy,” said Edwards. “I’ve got a great relationship with Rog. You’re learning on the fly. Kenny Owens and volunteer assistant Dennis Black have helped me a lot, with rotations of the personnel, travel itineraries, meal money. There’s a big learning curve.”

The Hawks are 2-3 so far under Edwards (3-4 overall).

NWAC East battles

He’s also got a few more weeks of non-conference play before the NWAC East battles begin in January.

“Kudos to Coach Ro,” said Edwards. “He scheduled some tough non-conference games. We want to hit our stride when we hit league play. Right now, it’s about learning. Losses aren’t losses if you learn from them.”

Meanwhile, Edwards is going into this as if this is his job to keep.

“I told Scott I don’t expect him to give me anything,” said Edwards. “There is definitely a lot more to it. Practice from 4-6 p.m. Watching (opponents’) film, printing out scouting reports, watching (the Hawks’) film. It’s definitely a grind.”

It’s familiar territory for him.

“It’s nothing new,” Edwards said. “It’s just more of a team stuff (than individual), it’s 5-on-5. It’s something I’m accustomed to. I had a passion for basketball. It started off as a hobby. It has gone into a passion, then a full-time gig.”

The Hawks resume non-conference this weekend in Walla Walla. They play Bellevue College at WWCC at 4 p.m. Friday, then take on Mt. Hood at WWCC at 2 p.m. Saturday.

High school basketball and more

▪ I got to watch Talia von Oelhoffen on Tuesday night playing for Chiawana in a 53-33 win over Post Falls, Idaho.

The junior struggled in the first half of her Riverhawks game, shooting just 1-for-13 from the floor. But she came out in the second half and went 6-for-11 and finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds as Chiawana outscored Post Falls 38-21 in the second half.

But she definitely looked like the best player on the floor.

Von Oelhoffen, one of the top juniors in the nation, played with coaches from Oregon State and Stanford in the stands watching her.

Last week, the transfer from Tri-Cities Prep tweeted out the final five schools she is considering playing for. Besides Oregon State and Stanford, they are UCLA, Oklahoma and UConn.

New Chiawana coach Mike Brown was already going to have a good team this season, what with veterans Alyssa Agundis, Delaney Pink and Kylie Thorne coming back. But von Oelhoffen will help make the Riverhawks one the state’s best teams this season.

▪ Speaking of Chiawana, the Riverhawks girls are ranked sixth in the state in the Seattle Times Preseason High School Basketball Poll for 4A girls.

Sunnyside gets the nod at No. 9, while Eastlake is the No. 1 team.

In Class 3A girls, Kennewick earned a No. 9 preseason ranking. Garfield is ranked No. 1.

In 3A boys, Kamiakin is ranked No. 10 in the state, while O’Dea is the top-ranked team.

No area teams are ranked in the 4A boys poll. Mount Si is the top-ranked team.

▪ Good luck to the Royal Knights football team, which plays Lynden Christian at noon Saturday in the WIAA 1A state football championship at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood.

▪ And the Kamiakin boys cross country team will be competing Saturday in the Nike XC Nationals against the nation’s best teams.

Fans can watch a free live webcast of the race. Just go to runnerspace.com. The webcast begins at 9:30 a.m., with the boys race starting at 10:05 a.m. Girls race will follow.

WHL STANDINGS

Through Wednesday, Dec. 4

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Portland, 18 wins-6 losses-1 OTL-2 SOL-39 points

2. Everett, 18-6-1-0-37

3. Kamloops, 17-9-0-1-35

4. Kelowna, 14-8-1-2-31

5. Spokane, 14-9-3-0-31

6. Victoria, 14-8-2-0-30

7. Vancouver, 13-12-1-1-28

8. Tri-City, 12-10-2-1-27

9. Seattle, 8-14-2-1-19

10. Prince George, 6-18-1-2-15

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Edmonton, 18-6-4-2-42

2. Prince Albert, 18-5-3-1-40

3. Medicine Hat, 19-7-1-0-39

4. Lethbridge, 17-9-0-4-38

5. Calgary, 14-7-3-1-32

6. Winnipeg, 15-11-1-0-31

7. Saskatoon, 14-13-1-1-30

8. Brandon, 13-15-1-0-27

9. Red Deer, 9-15-0-3-21

10. Moose Jaw, 9-14-1-0-19

11. Swift Current, 6-17-1-2-15

12. Regina, 6-17-2-0-14

Last three Tri-City games

Wednesday, Nov. 27 – Saskatoon 2, Americans 1

Friday, Nov. 29 – Victoria 3, Americans 1

Saturday, Nov. 30 – Americans 5, Vancouver 1

Next three Tri-City games

Saturday, Dec. 7 – Americans at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 8 – Americans at Vancouver, 4 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 13 – Americans at Seattle, 7:35 p.m.

This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 7:00 AM.