Font ResizeOmar Samhan conceded this was not his finest moment as a budding leader of the Saint Mary's College men's basketball team.
The Gaels were nearing the end of a 13-day tour of Australia, enjoying the Surfers Paradise beach in Queensland, when the senior center nearly found himself over his head.
"The younger guys look up to me. I'm the senior leader, the guy who's saying, 'You've got to do the right thing,'"‰" Samhan said. "The next thing you know, I'm in the ocean waving my hands and saying help."
Samhan survived the waters of Australia's Gold Coast, and the Gaels went 2-4 against professional teams.
They also began the process of creating a new chemistry. They shared barbecue dinners at the homes of old teammates Daniel Kickert and Patty Mills, and were greeted warmly by the locals, who are familiar with Saint Mary's through the pipeline of players who have trekked from Down Under to Moraga.
"It was crazy," said Samhan, a San Ramon Valley High graduate who was making his first trip outside the United States. "I feel like we were known more in Australia than in Walnut Creek. Kids came to the game wearing Saint Mary's jerseys and Patty Mills jerseys."
Mills was the Gaels' star point guard the past two seasons. But he's moved to the NBA (Portland Trail Blazers) after a 28-7 campaign. Power forward Diamon Simpson is also gone. The Gaels roster this season includes seven first- or second-year players.
"I thought
Samhan averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds in the six games. Aussie native Ben Allen, who will replace Simpson at power forward, led the team with 14 rebounds per game. Junior point guard Mickey McConnell contributed 17 points and six assists per game.
"The trip was probably as important for him as anyone," Bennett said of McConnell. "He's always been Pat's backup, and as a point guard you're not really comfortable until it's your deal. He played well."
