Men's Basketball

619-388-2274

Ed Helscher is an Assistant Professor, in the School of Physical Education , Health and Athletics. Coach Helscher is a native San Diegan and attended University of San Diego High School and the University of San Diego . Coach Helscher received a B. A. degree in Social Science from USD, where he played basketball from 1973-1976 and M. S. S. (Master of Sports Science) degree with an emphasis in basketball theory from the United States Sports Academy in Mobile, Alabama. His coaching career started as an assistant coach at the University of San Diego . After one year at USD, he moved to Chicago and coached at St. Phillip Neri and St. Francis de Sales. Coach Helscher and family returned to San Diego in 1979 and he spent times coaching at Francis Parker School , Madison High School , University of California at San Diego , Grossmont Community College as well as Mesa Community College .

Coach Helscher's high school record is 127 wins and 49 losses with CIF section titles in 1979 & 1983. In addition to coaching basketball, coach Helscher has been an assistant coach in football, baseball, and track & field. He also been a head coach in high school softball, cross-country, and sailing. His softball and cross-country teams have both won league titles.

During his early coaching career he was active as a guest speaker and clinician at several different basketball camps including camps at USD, San Diego State , and Cal Lutheran College. He also has owned his own camp, "Pride and Poise Camps," here in San Diego and on Catalina Island .

Coach Helscher has been active in several community organizations including the Red Cross and the San Diego Clean Beach Campaign.

Coach Helscher enjoys the beach, sailing, golf and bicycling during his free time. He is married to Elizabeth Hawrylo and has two daughters Kate and Alexis. Coach Helscher resides in the Clairemont area of San Diego

A native San Diegan, Jim Thompson has been a part of the Mesa coaching staff since 1993. Prior to coming to Mesa, Coach "T" was the Head Boy's Basketball Coach at Madison High School in San Diego from 1985-1991. His 1988 squad ranked #2 in the state and won the San Diego CIF Division II Championship after compiling a 28-3 record. In '89 he was named Coach-of-the-Year by the Los Angeles Times. Coach T. received his Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree from San Diego State University in 1978 and 1984, respectively. Coach T is one of three former Olympians now on Coach Helscher's staff.

In an effort to encourage student athletes to develop the complete game, Coach T founded 3PointPlay , which targets first rate performance in Academics, Attitude, and Athletics.

Coach T currently resides in the Tierrasanta area of San Diego.

Coach Daniels is a graduate of Kearny High School where he was named an All League player. Here at Mesa, Bryan holds the all time single game scoring record with 42 points scored in a single game. Bryan went 18 for 19 in field goals that game for a single game record as well. Bryan was also named twice to the Pacific Coast All Conference Team. Coach Daniels went on to play for Holy Names in Oakland, CA. Coach Daniels has a degree in Business.

Bryan is married to Arika and they reside in the North Park area of San Diego.

Coach Kai Harris is a native of St. Louis, MO where he attended Oakville and Edwardsville high school. He was a three sport lettermen player in basketball, soccer, and tennis. In August of 2002, Coach Harris accepted a scholarship to play soccer for the Missouri State Bears. During the 2006-2007 season, Kai worked with the Missouri State Basketball team under Coach Barry Hinson. This is his second year as an assistant coach with Mesa and Coach Harris resides in the Pacific Beach area.

Travis Nichols is a native San Diegan and graduate of San Diego High School where he was an All League and All CIF player his sophomore thru senior year. While at MESA Travis was named twice to the Pacific Coast All Conference Team and is one of 20 players on the 30 plus scoring club. Travis continued to excel at basketball while attending the College of Notre Dame. He was his team MVP and an All Conference player in the NCAC.

Travis graduated with a degree in Communications and resides in the North Park area of San Diego.

Coach Hester is in his first year with the Olympians as an assistant coach and Director of Basketball Operations. A Southern California native, he has lived in the Mt. Hope area for four years and enjoys classical music, chess, outdoor activities and being a bachelor.

Josh Peters is originally from Phoenix, Arizona where he graduated from Coronado High School in 1999. After serving in Mannheim, Germany in the United States Army, Josh pursued his life long dream to earn a college degree at Eastern Oregon University in Physical Education with a Sport Concentration. Currently, Josh is working on his senior internship here at Mesa where he will assist in the area of training and conditioning.

Josh is married to Cary and they reside in the Mission Valley area of San Diego. They enjoy kayaking, beach cruising, beach volleyball, and attending live music and comedy shows.