A basketball game can be more than five guys trying to outplay five guys. That was a lessen we learned this year and one our opponents didn't always appreciate. We employed a roster of 19 players and regularly used 12-14 players per game in a high octane, physical, competitive brand of basketball. And if success is defined by wins and losses, our 31-3 record sure solidifies that statement.
After a disappointing 18-12, 2013 campaign, (yes 18 wins is a disappointment) we decided to take another look at our recruiting strategy. The first major recruits came aboard in spring after a winter of following them around at their high school games. Colton Bivighouse and Carrington Miller were targeted early on. Colton was a very good high school player and had a tremendous upside. We could tell early on his personality and willingness to learn were two assets. Carrington followed his brother Curtis's footsteps coming to CM. Curtis was an all-conference player in his time and Carrington had the ability to attain that goal as well. However, Carrington has the ability to be the best Miller of all…. Both Colton and Carrington were great students in the classroom and the kind of personalities we wanted representing our program.
When we were fortunate enough to lock down Brennen Morton in late spring to add to our coaching staff, and things started to heat up. Brennen played for CM in 07-08 and was on the last team to capture the Yankee Championship. He left CM to play at UMPI where he earned his Bachelor's degree. Brennen stopped by for a visit last spring and we talked about his future and his goals. I convinced him to return home to CM and become part of our coaching staff. Fortunately for us, between Brennen and his basketball-holic father, they knew just about every basketball player in Rhode Island. We were able to combine all our recruiting resources to initially attract five boys from Rhode Island to visit CM and check us out. As we all know, once you set foot on our campus---you just become hooked….
Rhode Island natives, Kazre Cummings, Tim Flanagan, James Pina, Chris Semedo and Shaun Hill all committed to CM at the beginning of summer. What a package! Kazre was named to the Yankee All-Conference team his first year. Kaz is a wonderful, classy young man any coach would want on his team. Timmy was the glue that kept us together. He was the squad's top defender and could drain the open shot. (Check out the consolation game against Warren Wilson when Timmy went off for six three's in 12 minutes.) Jimmy was the physical presence. He also worked tirelessly on the court. Chris was an emotional player who got the whole team going and could hit the three. Shaun Hill was the most explosive 6th man in CM history and very well could have started on our team or any team in the league but we loved him as 6th man. He was named to the Yankee Conference All-Conference team as well. Shaun set a USCAA tournament record in Uniontown, PA scoring 46 points in a game. A pure basketball player!
Over the years our alum has always been key contributors to our program. Then never forgot where they came from and are always providing tips and information on future players. I was not surprised last spring when I spoke to Wes Sexton, (who was part of our Yankee championship run in 08) alerted me about a special player who was looking at potential schools. Enter Luis Medina. The best point guard to wear the red and white since the Pat Dempsey days just arrived at CM. Not only was he voted the best player in the Yankee Conference and a USCAA All- American, Luis was the gas that powered the engine at CM. His skills and basketball IQ were exceptional and leadership unquestioned.
Preston Isner from Virginia visited in the summer and committed. Preston is a great kid who works very hard. As we got closer to the beginning of school, Preston recruited his high school teammate Xavier Colbert to come to CM as well. X played hard, improved his game and has a bright future.
At a spring open house, we met Robbie Babb. We saw Robbie play at the Maine McDonald's all-star game two weeks before, but thought he had committed to another college. When he visited CM at the open house, I realized we needed this kid at CM. He works hard, bangs, and comes from a winning high school program.
Lewiston native Josh Thomas proved to be the surprise of the season. When we began, we weren't sure Josh was ready for our level. All Josh did all year long was work hard, listen, and never miss a practice. His improvement was dramatic over the season!
We were fortunate to have veteran holdovers Jalen Lincoln, Pierre Agua Dut, Harlan Nehtygal and Josh Ayoob returning from the previous year. Jalen was the key. He started all 28 games the previous year which allowed him to develop his game. He became a better overall player and key contributor to this year's team. He was also a very coachable player. Pierre was a very emotional player and provided verbal support all season. He could be counted on to hit the three as well. Harlan and Josh became valuable bench assets and contributed when called upon. I can't say enough about the quality of person we had on our bench. No complaining, just support from players who on another team, would play many more minutes.
As we entered the second half of the season, Brennen and Doc struck again!! Two more Rhode Island players, Devantee Briggs and Raymond "Chiefy" Monroe signed up at CM. Coming in late and joining a very successful team can be challenging. Both handled their limited minutes well and contributed. In fact, both played pivotal roles in the Yankee Conference Championship game vs. the College of St Joes.
Last but not least on the personnel front….our coaching staff. I have already spoken of Brennen Morton. We tend to do things different at CM. Our coaches are not just figureheads holding clipboards keeping stats at games. Our coaches are a key part of our practice/game strategy and all have roles to fulfill. Longtime coach Pat Blais is the brains behind much of the details of our system. Coach Blais is highly regarded by our players and college, and functions as another head coach. Alum, Steve Cyr, handles the JV basketball program and brings a veteran presence to the program. He understands the past, the traditions, the commitment and the pride that comes with being part of our program. Coach Jeff Brackett has been with us in various capacities for the last 10 years. He is really the glue that holds the coaching staff together. His commitment to the details that make CM special is evident each day. Justin Cocroft recently donned the red and white and has an understanding of what it takes to succeed. He coordinates our facilities and equipment as well as assists with strength and conditioning.
Season:
Our season opened up against our alumni team. CM wins this game every year. We can argue who really wins but at the end of the day, CM wins. Whether it be the 2014 team or the alum, I really don't care as long as the family stays intact. And frankly because we have such dedicated alum, I never have to worry about hard feelings. All alum support our present teams!
As we entered the Can-Am weekend, we weren't really sure how the early season would play out. We played hard but with so many good players, we were trying different combinations and match-ups in attempt to find out what works.
In early November we hosted Holoyke CC. This game was a turning point for our entire season. I suggest the reader stop reading now and watch that game. That game set the tone, type of play and theme for the next 30 games. For the first time in my 20 years of coaching at CM, we could put on the floor a team that LOVED playing defense. A simple basketball concept but one somewhat foreign to the high powered glory team offense, the Patrick years of up and down, the half court years of Caleb and Jonny slogging their way down the court, the steady years of Ty and Scevy and their execution and the inconsistent years of Curt and Hink. None of the above teams could hold a candle to the 2013-14 Mustangs in the 94 feet of run and jump, 40 minutes of in your face defensive pressure. We learned at that Holoyke game we could run waves of players at our opponent, play tireless full-court defense and not lose a step regardless of who we used in the lineup! Our first highlight reel of the season also came during this game – in the form of 2 dunks in 30 seconds.
Another turning point came on the road November 14th against a strong College of St Joseph (VT) team. Fine-tuned and returning 4 studs to their lineup the Fighting Saints could bring a high powered, explosive offense to the court. Despite playing from behind most of the game, the Mustangs didn't deviate from their full-court pressure. At about five minutes left in the game, CM simply took the lead from the tired Fighting Saints and held St Joes at bay to win 108-104.
The next marker came with our home game against out-of-state rival, NHTI. Throughout the years all CM faithful remember this rivalry as a bitter one. As the years have progressed, we have tried to soften the nasty feelings and focus on the game. However, beating NHTI is important for our program and an objective this team understood from the beginning. A 101-70 CM win underscored the domination and sent a message to the league that CM was going to be a player this year.
Playing on the road at SMCC is a challenge each year. This year's team wasn't at all intimidated at the prospect of playing at SMCC but in fact marveled in the thought of beating them on their court! With fan busses in tow and our ladies began the night smacking the Seawolves ladies around; the boys came out more ready to play than any game thus far in the first half. I really thought that game was over before it even began! The crowd was electrifying and our boys fed off the energy. SM wasn't any pushover, well coached, and played hard. At the end of the night the Mustangs returned to Auburn with a 97-85 win.
Entering the break at 19-0 put CM on the map not only in the conference but in the mind of all Mustang faithful. No a team before could say they went into the break undefeated.
Returning from the break a week early allowed the Mustangs to host the University of Maine at Presque Isle. A 55 point win (126-71) in a game where CM dominated in all facets of the game started the motor for second half play. The boys were off and running.
Dean College came to town in January for a non-conference matchup. This wasn't your typical non-conference matchup as our Rhode Island boys knew some of the players on Dean and this one turned out to be a hot and feisty contest. Dean was ranked #1 in the NJCAA DII National Poll. I was very proud of our boys, keeping their emotions in check to leave Kirk Hall with a 95-81 win. Dean played a similar style game as ours but couldn't keep up in the second half.
The two losses in the second half came in a home game vs. powerhouse Virginia University Lynchburg. Lynchburg was coached by old friend and coaching legend Buddy Mason. They had a front line of 6'7, 6'7 and 6'9. We simply couldn't compete with the size and ball handling skills of men - not boys - who were very smart, well coached and could get up and down in their own right. After our first setback, a trip to UMPI proved to be a successful loss for our boys. We were feeling pretty good about ourselves after beating UMPI by 55 points at home. The Owls remembered that game, prepared for our pressure and nipped us 96-93. I say a successful loss because it proved to our boys we couldn't simply show up and claim victory. We had to work for it! We would remember that lessen.
Playoffs:
CM entered the Yankee Conference tournament (hosted by SMCC) with a 29-2 record and held the number one seed. The opening round opponent was Vermont Tech, who CM beat twice during the season. Despite not playing very well and playing a well prepared VTC team, CM managed to come away with a 93-77 win.
Next up was the University of Maine at Machias who played CM very tough both times this year. CM picked it up a bit winning 102-95. The Yankee championship and a bid to the USCAA National tournament in Pennsylvania came down to the last game of the season.
Before the playoffs began, we printed out tournament brackets and asked the kids to make their picks. Amazing how bright the kids are!
As predicted by most of the kids, the College of St Joes breezed through their side of the bracket to reach the finals. A CM vs. St Joe's matchup for the championship seemed like a perfect game.
In a well-played game with the gym full of the CM faithful, the Mustangs played their best game of the weekend to capture the Yankee Championship with a convincing 90-68 win. The boys were going to the USCAA National Tournament for the first time since 2008!
USCAA National tournament:
Winning the conference championship combined with its 30-2 record placed CM in the top spot in the tournament seeded number one. Fortunately for CM, some of us have been to the tournament for the past five years, either supporting our ladies or watching games and knew what to expect. In 2013, the number eight seed, Warren Wilson College won the championship over the number ten seed, Penn State Fayette. So much for seeding…
A short 13-hour bus ride leaving at 8pm set the tone for the week. We arrived at the Nemacolin Woodland Resort in Farmington, PA and settled in. After two days of practice and preparing, the boys took on Penn State Beaver. Beaver had two of the top players in the tournament and they didn't let down the home crowd, upsetting us 103-101. CM got tournament record 46-points from Shaun Hill. CM was destined for the consolation bracket for a game fourteen hours later against defending champion Warren Wilson College (Ashville, NC).
It was when that game was over I developed a newfound respect for our kids. Several had a hard time just leaving the locker room because they were so distraught. However, pride and class prevailed and the boys handled defeat like men. I will always remember the look on Timmy's face when I went into the locker room to get him. The kid is such a warrior.
The next day we played the consolation game at 12pm. Our ladies played right after us. Our goal was to get everybody in the game and see where the game goes. We met our goal getting all in the first half but trailed by as much as 27 points and at halftime went to the locker room down by 23 points. As we began the second half, the boys decided we needed to win this game. We went back to our rotations and tried to wear down the Owls. CM clawed back and led by a revived Timmy Flanagan's six threes in the last 12-minutes of the game led the Mustangs to an emotional 90-85 victory. I understand this was a consolation game, but our kids simply don't care what kind of game it is and when it's being played. They get after it and don't back down from anybody and want to win every game they play!!
Accolades:
Luis Medina: YSCC 1st Team All-Conference, YSCC Player of the Year, Yankee Conference Tournament Best Offensive Player, USCAA DII 1st Team All-American.
Kazre Cummings: YSCC 2nd Team All-Conference
Shaun Hill: YSCC 2nd Team All-Conference, Yankee Conference Tournament MVP, USCAA DII National Tournament single game record, 46 points.
Dave Gonyea: YSCC Coach of the Year.
At the end of the day, 2013-14 was a great year for our program. Capturing the Yankee Championship and receiving a bid to participate in the USCAA National Tournament was a privilege. Some of kids will move on to bigger programs seeking their Bachelor's degree and the opportunity to play again.
However, things don't stop now. We will continue to recruit the type of players who will carry on the tradition! Look for 2014-15 to be another successful season!
