May 13, 2012
Ahern to rain purple treys
Marin Catholic's David Ahern pondered his recruiting options, ranging across the spectrum from D-1 to D-3 and finally decided to go with playing in the West Coast Conference.
The Marin County Athletic League Player of the Year as well as the Marin Independent Journal Player of the Year, the 6-foot Ahern has accepted a walk-on position with Coach Eric Reveno and the Portland Pilots. Well known for his summer and non-basketball season workout routines, Ahern attracted interest by averaging 21.1 points per game this season (up 7.5 from the previous year) and with a high of 37, playing for Coach Mike Saia.
So why the Rose City?
"I loved the coaching staff -- Coach Reveno is a class act as are Coach Wolf and Coach Sobotka -- and I felt I could learn a lot from them," Ahern related. "The players were easy to get along with, there is a great emphasis on player development and it's a place I think I can thrive."
As to what the purple-clad Pilot fans will see from Ahern in the Chiles Center next season, he said, "Ballhandling, fiery competitiveness, lockup defense, playmaking, just helping in any way I can."
Ahern is looking to major in either business administration or economics and is hoping there will be internship possibilities with Nike being nearby.
Also, road games at St. Mary's, Santa Clara and USF will provide ample homecoming opportunities for family and friends to attend games.
A very young Pilot squad finished 3-13, 7-24 last season but went 7-7 and 20-12, 10-4 and 21-11 plus 9-5 and 19-13 working backwards in the previous three go-arounds.
Ahern offered specific reasons for listing the individuals he wish to thank for helping him along the way.
"First and foremost, I thank my parents, my Dad in particular for the long hours he worked with me in the gym, Coach Saia for developing me as a player and helping with my recruitment because I wouldn't have had as many opportunities without him, Assistant Coach John Starret for helping me come out of my shell and take more of a leadership and floor general role, Jeremy Russotti whose skill work made me so much better between my junior and senior seasons and Rick Villarreal, my physical trainer who helped me become stronger and more explosive."
Reveno must like northern California basketball because he signed 6-foot-4 Jesuit High backcourter Bryce Pressley in late April.