Men's Yankee Conference Tournament

Quarterfinals: VTC 70 - CM 67

In a heart breaking game, the men's basketball squad dropped a 70-67 game to the Knights of Vermont Tech. CM led for most of the game but Yankee MVP Kevin Carr knocked down seven three-pointers to lead VTC to the win. The Mustangs had a shot at the end but the ball didn't find its way into the basket. While this concludes the season for the men, we have some unfinished business here in Concord. Our Lady Mustangs will play in the final four Saturday, facing top seed UMA at 12:00pm. The men will be at courtside cheering on the team.

We now say farewell to Curtis Miller, Nick Hinkley, Ross Caron, Ariel Lezana, and Tyler Smithgall . . . all will graduate this May. I will have more to say about these guys later, but I want to state that it has been a privilege to coach them for the past three years. Such loyal, committed, and great teammates are hard to find but these gentlemen had it all! We do have about five players returning next year and we will build on that.

Eagles handle Mustangs

Despite Tyler Smithgall’s 11th straight double/double, the boys could not get over the threshold Wednesday and dropped a 77-65 contest to EMCC in Bangor. The squad didn't shoot well for the 4th straight game finishing the game under 40%. Nick Hinkley finished with 13 pts, Samson Olayemi had 12pts, and Curtis Miller knocked down 11 pts in his comeback.

Mustangs fall flat against Clippers 64-51

On the court for the 5th time in 7 days didn't help the Mustangs legs Friday night against Maine Machias as the boys dropped a 64-51 contest at Kirk Hall. Despite playing their hearts out and staying with the Clippers for most of the game, CM shot the ball poorly under 30% for the game. Tyler Smithgall was the lone must mustang hitting for 20 points and hauling down 12 rebounds. Nick Hinkley added 10 points in the loss. The squad takes a few needed days off and travels to EMCC on Wednesday.

Virginia University Lynchburg nips CM 69-68

Virginia Lynchburg overcame a 7 point deficit in the last 3 minutes to clip CM 69-68. The injury riddled Mustangs lost Jason Hughes to a broken hand Tuesday but big Patrick Lorfils stepped in and performed securing 4 rebounds and 6 points. Tyler Smithgall did what Tyler does despite being defended by 7 foot Egor Shakhoatov knocking down shot after shot and finishing with 16 points and 11 boards. Great news for the mustangs; Curtis Miller played about 6 minutes and hit three 3's in his comeback attempt. CM hosts UMaine-Machias tonight at Kirk Hall.

CM tops rival SMCC

Whoever says home crowds don't impact a game need to visit Auburn sometime. With the capacity crowd at its back and players having difficulty even hearing each other, the CM men nipped SM 64-62 in an exciting action packed game in Auburn. CM led the entire game until the last 1:30 and went down by one. Two Tyler Smithgall free throws put them back on top in the last 14 seconds. Tyler recorded his 7 straight double/double with 20 pts and 14 rebounds. Nick Hinkley held Seawolves sharpshooter, Josh Mackie, to 9 pts, all in the first half. The win improves the Mustang record to 19-8. The team faces Virginia Lynchburg Thursday and UMaine Machias Friday night.

VERMONT TRIP Saturday, 2/4/12

The CM Men's team played a VERY good CSJ team that had buried them in the first semester. The Mustangs came to play, and battled the Fighting Saints on every possession. Trailing by only 5 at the half, CM fell behind by 15 mid-way through the 2nd half. The Mustangs made a phenomenal run cutting the CSJ lead all the way down to 3, before falling 66-60 in an intense battle. The Mustangs were paced by another Tyler Smithgall double-double, which included 22 points. Captain, Nick Hinkley tallied 14 points, including 4 3's in the loss.

Sunday, 2/5/12

Motivated from the tough loss the night before, the CM Men's team came out roaring against a very good VTC team. The Mustangs held VTC to just 17 first half points, while scoring 36 of their own. Nick Hinkley led the Mustangs on both ends of the floor playing stellar defense and scoring 24 points. Tyler Smithgall recorded a double-double that included 16 points and 12 rebounds. Last year's YSCC Player of the Year, VTC's Kevin Carr exploded in the 2nd half hitting 5 3's to make the game tight in the last few minutes, but CM held on for the 74-63 victory

Paul Smith jumps past Mustangs

Travel in the Yankee Conference can be challenging and can take its toll on most teams. CM is no exception! Despite 15 points and 15 rebounds from Tyler Smithgall, the mustangs couldn’t hang on Saturday and lost a tough one to Paul Smith College 71-62. CM trailed by 4 at the break but took the lead at the 12 minute mark. Alex Medina and Kashean Alston combined for 34 points to lead a Bobcat comeback. Nick Hinkley led CM with 16 points. The mustangs travel to EM on Wednesday in a very important Yankee Conference matchup.

CM trounces Unity

Twelve different players contributed in the scoring column Thursday as the Mustangs trampled the Rams 79-23. CM jumped out to an early lead behind Tyler Smithgall’s 12 points (in the first 7 minutes) and another solid defensive effort by Samson Olayemi. Brandon Giguere knocked down four 3’s to hit for 12points as well. The mustangs dominated the glass 38-13 and shared the ball adding up 22 assists. A 58% shooting effort with 13 players contributing added up to a good night for the home team! The mustangs travel to VTC Saturday to take on Paul Smith College.

Mustangs control Moose

Persistence is key to completing any endeavor. The mustangs learned that last night finally putting away a stubborn UMA Moose team by a 74-65 margin. However the score is misleading. CM kept on top most of the game but UMA took the lead at the 3 minute mark by three points. Point guard Samson Olayemi and Nick Hinkley led a defensive surge in the last three minutes to take over the game and lead CM to victory. Hinckley finished the contest with 17 points including three 3 pointers and Tyler Smithgall contributed 15points and 7 boards. Jason Hughes hit for 10pointts as well. CM improves their record to 17-7. The squad entertains Unity Thursday night at 8pm.

Mustangs fall to NHTI

Despite 27 pts and 15 rebounds from Tyler Smithgall, CM fell to the Lycx 69-59 Thursday night in Concord. The boys led 35-31 at the break but could not hold on the second half. CM is trying to integrate new faces into the line-up which will take some time and patience. CM falls to 15-6 on the season. CCRI invades Kirk Hall Saturday for a 2pm fray.

Mustangs hold off rival SMCC

12/14/2011

The place was rocking in South Portland tonight as the Mustangs held off a stubborn Seawolves squad by a 96-87 score. Despite leading by as much as 18 pts, CM had difficultly putting this game away. CM jumped out to an 8-0 lead and led the entire contest. SM cut the lead to 2 pts with about 8 minutes left but key shooting and 3 critical Curtis Miller rebounds in the last 2 minutes swayed the game CM’s way. Floor general Mike Green knocked down big shots in a 9-17 shooting performance hitting for 24 pts. Veteran Nick Hinkley had the difficult task of containing sharpshooter Josh Mackie holding him to 28 pts. Josh hit shot after shot with Nick in his grille. On a side note, Josh scored his 1000 career point tonight as well. The kid is a class act and very good player. The Mustangs finish the semester 14-4 and are looking forward to the 3 week break!!

UM-Machias routs CM

12/11/2011

Three games in three days and a four hour ride resulted in the mustangs receiving an old fashioned butt kicking Sunday as Maine Machais thumped the boys 73-53. CM never got untracked and trailed the entire game. The Clippers shot 53% from inside the arc and 60% from outside to arc to dominate offensive play. After trailing 39-23 at the half, CM cut the lead to 10 pts. Hot shooting by Zach Armstrong (4-6 from the arc) stymied the Mustang comeback. Nick Hinkley led CM with 16 pts.

CM knocks off UMA Moose

12/7/2011

Game one of the road trip began tonight as the mustangs knocked off UMA 81-73 at the Augusta Civic Center. Trailing by 9 at the half, CM picked the defensive intenstiy the second half to hold UMA to 28 points.

Veteran civic center participant Curtis Miller picked up 20 pts and Samson Olyemi hit for another double double hitting for 13 pts and hauling down 11 rebounds to lead CM. Alonzo James also scored 13 pts --5 assists and Nick Hinkley hit for 11 pts.

CM improves its record to 10-3.

Mustangs roll over Paul Smith

12/4/2011

Two games in two days didn’t stop the running attack today as the mustangs rolled over Paul Smith College 89-69. Samson Olayemi saved his best game of the year for today with his first triple double of the year: 13 pts—11 rebounds—12 assists. Key baskets at key times stopped any comeback the Bobcats might have made. Again the defensive end is where the Mustangs thrive. They clogged up the middle and out-rebounded the Bobcats 47-37. Nick Hinkley led CM with 22 pts.

UPSET ALERT! CM knocks off previously unbeaten VTC

12/3/2011

Solid defensive play and timely shooting led CM to an upset 77-59 win over previously unbeaten Vermont Tech Saturday. Alonzo James kept YSCC player of the year Kevin Carr in check the entire game and held him to 6 points. Carr is one of the best players in our league and the leader of the Knights. Overall Nick Hinkley led the charge for CM hitting for 21 pts, Alonzo had 18pts, and Curtis Miller had 16 pts. English native Sam Olayemi hauled down 12 rebounds and hit for 11 pts.

CM jumped out to an early lead and led at the half 34-21. Cold shooting by VTC in the first half (22%) halted any chances for them to come back.

CM 82 Nashua 45

11/19/2011

A long drive to Nashua ended in positive results for the mustangs as they trounced Nashua Community College 82-45. Mustang starters only played for 4 minutes in which they raced out to an 11-2 margin. Nashua never got untracked as the Mustangs led 44-16 at the break. Justin Cocroft led the winners with 13 points. CM has a much needed week break from action and returns home Dec 3 to host VTC.

Mustangs Cage Lynx 80-72

11/17/2011

Kirk Hall was rocking last night as the mustangs defeated rival NHTI 80-72 in Yankee Conference action. Behind the hot shooting of Nick Hinkley (12pts-10 rebounds), CM jumped off to an 18-5 lead and never looked back. The lead increased the lead to 18 points in the first half before the Lynx came back to within 11 points at halftime. Sam Olayemi opened up the second half with 6 straight points and a hobbled Mike Green knocked down big shot after big shot in the second half to secure the win. Alonzo James played his normal steady game notching 18 points but more importantly hit big shots when the mustangs needed it most. With the Lynx applying full court pressure, Green hit 4 free throws in the final minute to close out the game. CM spots a 6-3 record. The squad travels to Nashua Community College Saturday for an afternoon fray.

Many thanks to the folks at Great Falls TV, MBR.ORG, and the Maine Sports Network for carrying the game live. Michael Hoffer and Dan DeBruin did the game for TV and Tom Nolette and Matty Boutwell performed duties for the radio.

EMCC 68, CMCC 66

11/15/2011

AUBURN — Bert Green dropped in a game-winning 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds left in the game, allowing Eastern Maine Community College to slip away with a 68-66 victory over Central Maine Community College in a men’s basketball game Tuesday night.

CMCC (5-3) was leading by a point when Green made good on one of his four 3-pointers for the night. Green scored a team-high 22 points and teammate Edison Pierre helped out with another 16.

CMCC was trailing at halftime when EMCC built 36-29 lead before taking command in the second half.

Nick Hinkley scored 22 points and Alonzo James hit for 13 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Mike Green collected eight assists to go along with his two points. Curtis Miller added 15 points on the scoreboard for CMCC.

CSJ blows pass CM, 102-74

11/11/2011

CM drops a 102-74 game to the fighting saints of the College of St. Joes Friday night. Hot shooting and steady defense carried the home team to victory. Curtis Miller hit for 19 pts and Alonozo James and Samson Olayemi both scored 10 pts apiece. The mustangs fall to 5-2 on the season.

CM trounces Unity College, 86-65

11/6/2011

CM finished off three games in three days with its third straight win today beating Unity College 86-65. Justin Cocroft came off the bench to knock down 14 pts. The mustangs led by 4 at the half and took off in the second half.

The squad travels to Rutland, Vermont Friday to play the College of St Joes.

Mustangs knock off Berkley, 74-68

11/5/2011

CM knocked off Berkley College of New York city 74-68 tonight to increase their record to 4-1. Two intense games in two days kicked the Mustangs butts but teamwork got it done in the end. Curtis hit for 18 but it was Calvin Gousby coming in off the bench that provided the spark the propelled CM. The boys travel back down to SMCC tomorrow to play Unity.

CM 87 Quinsigamond 76

A long bus ride from Auburn to West Boysolston, Mass ended almost 4 hours later as CM Men's Basketball traveled to take on Quinsigamond Community College. The Mustangs defeated the Warriors 87-76 behind Mike Green and Alonzo James' 20 points apiece. After jumping off the bus, missing a couple of layups early on, CM only led by 8 at the half. Sharp shooting by a multiple of players propelled the mustangs to increase the lead to 18 in the middle of the second half. Green also dished out 5 assists as CM knocked down free throws the last two minutes to finish the game.

16th annual Can-Am Women's and Men's Basketball Tournament

Thanks to our Canadian friends St Thomas and Nova Scotia and our sister college SMCC for an excellent tournament. Skilled play and Sportsmanship were evident all weekend. Congrats to STU for going undefeated on both the women's and men's side.

Saturday: Oct 29: 16^th Annual Can-am tournament

2pm: SMCC women 39 vs St Thomas women 84
4pm: SMCC men 72 vs St Thomas men 87
6pm: CM women 70 vs Nova Scotia women 61
8pm: CM men 70 vs Nova Scotia men 34

Sunday: Oct 30

10am : SMCC women 62 vs Nova Scotia women 57
12pm: SMCC men 95 vs Nova Scotia men 47
2pm: CM women 39 vs St Thomas women 73
4pm: CM men 80 vs St Thomas men 85

Holland College vs CM --October 23, 2011

Alonzo James finishes

CM 86 Holland College 76

The running mustangs came out firing on all cylinders today to knock off a stubborn Holland team by 10 points. Up by as much as 15 points in the first half, Holland climbed back into the game cutting the lead to 7 with 8 minutes remaining. However, it wasn't enough as the mustang bench played big today and the starters maintained constant ball pressure thoughout the game.

Veteran sharpshooter Curtis Miller and Nick Hinkley combined for 34 points to lead CM. Freshmen Alonozo James hit for 14.