BBCC's Brendan Westendorf named Baden NWAACC Male Athlete of the Year
Big Bend sophomore Brendan Westendorf converts an up and under lay in against Yakima Valley Jan. 8. Westendorf was named the Baden NWAACC Men's Basketball Athlete of the Year. Westendorf led the NWAACC in scoring with an average of 29.52 points per game. He was also 10th in rebounding and 11th in assists.
MOSES LAKE - Brendan Westendorf will end his career at Big Bend as one of the most decorated athletes in the program's history.
This season, the Kent native took home his second straight NWAACC East region MVP and was unanimously named the Baden NWAACC Male Athlete of the Year.
Westendorf led the NWAACC in scoring with 29.52 points per game, including a season-high 55 points during Big Bend's 160-99 win against Shoreline.
"He had a great career here," head coach Mark Poth said. "Accomplished a lot of good things, broke some Big Bend records and has got opportunities to go to the Division I level now."
Those records include the Runnin' Vikes' single-game scoring record (55 points against Shoreline) and career scoring record (1,625 points in two seasons).
As a 6'6" guard, Westendorf put every facet of his game on display during his two seasons in Moses Lake. Along with his furious scoring clip, Westendorf finished 10th in rebounds per game and 11th in assists per game this season.
"Very versatile player, you know, can do everything," Poth said. "He's not limited, he can score inside, he can shoot outside, he can pass the ball, he can rebound, he can defend. Skill set he's probably the best overall skill player we've had at Big Bend."
Westendorf averaged 16 points per game as a senior at Kentridge High School, but was spurned by Division I scouts who were focused more on his teammate, Gonzaga's Gary Bell Jr.
On the AAU circuit, Westendorf also struggled to break out of the shadow of teammates Bell, Tony Wroten and Joshua Smith.
Wroten spent one year at the University of Washington before jumping to the NBA. Smith headed to UCLA before transferring to Georgetown.
After very little recruitment to play college basketball, Westendorf decided to spend a post-graduate year at God's Academy prep school in Lake Dallas, TX.
Westendorf tested his mettle against likely NBA lottery pick Marcus Smart and Baylor Isaiah Austin before the University of Memphis offered him an opportunity to make its squad.
However, Westendorf elected to follow in the footsteps of his father, Lance, who played two seasons under Poth at Big Bend,
"B coming into Big Bend we had real high expectations," Poth said. "We knew he was going to be a very good player that would leave our program and would go to the Division I level. We felt like he had that ability and came here and had two great years. Definitely not the kind of guy you just go out there and replace."
Westendorf is still undecided on where he wants to continue his collegiate basketball career, but previously told the Herald his top three destinations include Seattle University, Portland State University and St. Mary's University.
Poth believes Westendorf will continue to flourish in college and could continue his career professionally.
"Really pleased with the way he's represented our program and the college and community," he said. "He's going to leave Big Bend and I think he's going to get better and better and have a great college career and he'll probably play after that maybe overseas somewhere."
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