Cheswick Christian Academy grad Ben Pollock up to big things at Chatham
Share this post:
Ben Pollock often dominated the competition while playing at Cheswick Christian Academy.
Pollock then went to Mount Vernon Nazarene, an NAIA program located about 45 minutes northeast of Columbus, Ohio, but adjusting to the college game took time, and he decided being closer to home would be better for his development.
So Pollock, all 6-foot-10 of him, transferred to Chatham before the start of the 2020-21 season.
And these days, Pollock and the Cougars are thinking big.
“The playing style (at Mount Vernon Nazarene) wasn’t a good fit for me, and I never saw the playing time I expected,” Pollock said. “But I’m thankful for what I learned while I was there. I also found out rural places aren’t for me. I’m a city guy.”
Pollock, a senior who is undecided on returning next year for a fifth year of eligibility, also learned he needed to develop — physically and mentally.
Since arriving at Chatham, Pollock has added strength to his massive frame and improved his endurance, but he also credits a perspective that comes with getting older for what he’s been able to do in helping Chatham (6-1, 2-1) hang near the top of the Division III Presidents’ Athletic Conference standings.
The Cougars’ only loss was a close one — 81-79 to Geneva on Dec. 4.
“A lot of it is coaching, a lot of it is maturity,” Pollock said. “I don’t think I applied myself before the way that I have since I came to Chatham. I just always relied on being the biggest guy on the floor.”
Even in the PAC, Pollock remains that, but his old-school, post-up game is quite suited for the Cougars. And quite challenging for the opposition.
He’s averaging 10.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. He went for 25 points — his career high was a 30-point effort last year against Waynesburg — on 8-for-9 shooting with 10 rebounds and five blocks Nov. 20 against Thiel, and he’s shooting 57.7% (30 for 52) on the season.
“Our team has improved a lot from last year. There’s more of a cohesive feel. It’s not just five individuals out there,” Pollock said. “Winning a PAC championship, it definitely is a possibility. That’s our goal.”
Branch on point
When Clarion coach Damian Pitts needed an established, experienced player to start at point guard this season and mentor a promising but young group in the backcourt, he knew exactly where to turn — senior Kaison Branch.
The Highlands graduate never officially started at point guard before, but the 24-year-old physics major typically gravitated toward the position during his days with the Golden Rams and during his previous two years as a starter at Clarion.
Coaches want the ball in the hands of their best leaders and most level-headed players.
“It’s been an adjustment, but it’s been a pretty smooth one for me,” Branch said. “We’re not off to the start we saw for ourselves, and our team chemistry isn’t where it needs to be, but there’s been a lot of improvement and I feel like things are going well.”
The Golden Eagles (4-3, 2-1 PSAC West), in their third year under coach Damian Pitts, are making strides toward being more competitive in a difficult Division II conference. Branch is making the transition easier.
He’s averaging 6.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals. Branch, who plans to pursue careers in civil engineering and coaching, wants to bring Clarion back to respectability.
And Pitts believes the Golden Eagles eventually will become a PSAC contender thanks to Branch’s contributions.
“He’s helping us get to the other side of the mountain, but he won’t be able to enjoy it,” Pitts said. “Our goal for this year is to make the playoffs. He deserves it. He deserves to be there.”
Elsewhere in the PSAC
The No. 8 IUP women’s team is getting help from Leechburg graduate Mikayla Lovelace, a 5-9 junior guard. Lovelace has played in seven games for the Crimson Hawks (8-0, 2-0 PSAC West) and is averaging 3.4 points and 2.0 rebounds. Burrell grad Eliza Oswalt, a Merychurst transfer, has played in two games.
• Apollo-Ridge grad Maddy Moore has played in eight games for Seton Hill (6-4, 1-1). The 6-foot guard/forward is averaging 4.1 points. Highlands grad Sarah Sawhook has appeared in one game for the Griffins.