Men's Basketball: Cougars' Bamforth joins Weber St.

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Scott Bamforth has always had the dream of playing at the Division I level and when he came to Western Nebraska Community College in 2007 he worked hard to achieve that goal.

Bamforth officially realized that goal on Wednesday during the early signing period when he signed with Weber State University out of Ogden, Utah. It was a move that he has no regrets with.

“I signed there because I think it is a perfect fit for me,'' the 6-foot-2 sophomore from Albuquerque, N.M., said. “I am really excited because it has always been a goal to play Division I. That is why you come to junior college so you get that chance. I was lucky enough to get it, and I am looking forward to it, but at the same time I am not looking at it until it gets here. I am looking toward this year.''

WNCC first-year coach Russ Beck said Weber State is a perfect fit for Bamforth.

“Scott is a lock at the Division I level as a player,'' he said. “I have known Coach Randy Rahe and his staff at Weber State and I have seen the way they play, and I think it is a very good fit. I think they are as lucky to get him as he is them. It is a tribute to Scott and his hard work so far this season that he has this opportunity. We are looking forward to see what he will do for us this year. It is no greater joy to a coach then to watch the players that have moved on from the program on to the Division I level.

Weber State lost in the semifinals of the Big Sky Conference last year to Montana State, but still made the NIT tournament before falling to San Diego State. Weber State finished with a 21-10 record and won the Big Sky Conference league title with a 15-1 mark.

Bamforth led the team in scoring last season with more than 600 points and 50 3-pointers. This season, WNCC coach Russ Beck projects Bamforth to have the same kind of season.

“Scott is the kind of player that can change the outcome of the game. He has some unique abilities to really shoot the basketball at any level, whether it is NBA, college, or high school,'' Beck said. “When you shoot the ball the way Scott does, that is a premium. That is the guy you want out on the floor. He is starting to demonstrate his leadership abilities in this young season. When he brings that energy and effort, a lot of guys look to him and they will follow.''

Bamforth seldom has an off night. In fact he has only been held without a point once in his basketball career and that was the season-opening contest Nov. 3 against the College of Eastern Utah. He also learned a lot from that contest and rebounded with an 18-point game against the same team on Nov. 7.

Bamforth said he never was held without a point before and it was actually a good thing because he learned a lot about his game.

Bamforth doesnt try to score; it is just a natural ability. He also puts in countless hours outside of the practice to perfect his scoring ability.

“From the teams I have been on I have pretty much been the leading scorer, but I have never think about it,'' he said. “When I go into a game, it is not like I am going to score this; I think it is the abilities that God gave me that I can score the ball.''

Bamforth came to WNCC in 2007 and red-shirted during the 2007-08 season. He said redshirting was one of the best decisions that he made.

“I am very happy I didn't play my first year,'' he said. “It was hard not playing and it was the first time that I not played in a season. At the same time, it was good because I learned a lot of things that I never realized in my life.''

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