Experience returns to the Northwest College men’s basketball team, as the Trappers bring back six players who played minutes a year ago and seven total from last year’s roster.

Returners include players who saw significant time, such as starting point guard Mateo Trujillo from Sai Kung, Hong Kong, who was the leading scorer and assister for the Trappers last season.

Another pair of returning starters were both forwards, as Braydon Bradshaw returns from Lyman, and Nayel Girard returns from Guadeloupe, France.

Bradshaw was the fourth leading scorer and Girard was the fifth, while Girard was the top rebounder and second leading assister. Bradshaw was the fourth leading rebounder for Northwest.

R’Zha Zha’Quire Whittle also returns as a redshirt sophomore from Las Vegas, who primarily came off the bench last year and finished just behind Girard in scoring and rebounding.

Another effective Trapper bench player who returns is Travis Theran Archibald, who was a 3-point option on offense from Green River.

Another returner who saw some playing time is Powell’s Gunnar Erickson, who came off the bench until a season ending injury occurred before the Christmas break.

Alex Jordan is another Powell athlete returning to the Trappers after redshirting last year.

“I think we have a good nucleus back,” coach Andy Ward said. “They’ve been really solid, and important in establishing our culture and getting our incoming guys to understand the system and the culture. Our sophomore group has been solid.”

New faces from the state include a pair from southeast Wyoming, as Collin Roberts joins from Douglas and Brady Cook joins from Lingle Ft. Laramie.

Additional new faces from around the United States include Josiah Amuniumuna from Hawaii and Jayden Bunker, a redshirt transfer from the College of Southern Idaho who is originally from Nevada.

New international athletes joining the Trappers include James Shahinian and Gabriel Markovtzev from Australia, as well as Timothe Silactchom Nganta and Theo Sourin from France.

“We’ve had some freshmen along with some sophomores that I feel like we’ve gotten a slot start because we’ve had a lot of guys out with nothing serious, but just injuries that have kept them out of practice,” Ward said. “Where I want our focus to be is just on steady improvement. Making sure that we don’t let a day get away, that we’re getting a little bit better as a team.”

Ward said the Trappers are focusing on playing winning basketball every day, winning in the main categories such as turnovers, controlling the glass, getting more quality shots and getting to the free throw line.

“That’s our focus is just trying to get a little better each day in those areas. If we can win in those four areas, then I think the wins will be a natural result as a byproduct,” Ward said.

This year the Trappers have 16 home games, and Ward said they will be tested throughout both at home and on the road by key competition, which will hopefully set the Trappers up for success once the Region IX Tournament rolls around after Northwest fell in the semifinals last season.

Northwest starts with six on the road before playing at home, starting with a game at 5 p.m. on Friday against the College of Southern Nevada in a neutral site game before taking on host Snow College at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

“Right now we’ll just try to really focus on the Trappers, that’s all I want us to do,” Ward said. “We’ll get tested, it’ll be a good nonconference schedule, and hopefully it prepares us for league play.”