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Volume CXXXIII, Number 9 |
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Hoops action begins
MARIO LOPEZ
STAFF WRITER
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| Players scrimmage during a pre-season practice. The men are looking forward to the new season, despite losing several starters from last year. (Hans Law, Bowdoin Orient) |
As the frostbite of the Maine winter approaches, one elite sports team here at Bowdoin College has begun its pre-season training. The Bowdoin Men's Basketball Team has taken on the cold weather in full storm, as they are already two weeks into training.
In an attempt to become the most physically fit team in the NESCAC, the men have been running endless laps and 50-yard sprints around Farley Field House in the early mornings, at approximately the time most students are in their third or fourth dream. The team can also be spotted hanging out in the weight room.
Having graduated four pivotal players from last season, this year's team is led by captains T.J. McLeod '04 and Jonathan Farmer '03. The team will be joined by a talented group of first years and several returning upperclassmen, including two of last season's starters, Kyle Petrie '06 and Mark Yakavonis '05. The team also expects to gain back recovering forward Teddy Ligon '06. This collaboration of talented first years and crafty veterans will make this year's squad very competitive.
"We are always competitive: That's just the nature of NESCAC basketball," said Farmer. "A great deal of our success relies on the underclassmen. The level of enthusiasm they bring will dictate much of what we are able to accomplish on the court." Needless to say the team has high expectations for its freshmen.
Last season the men were seeded eighth in the league and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs against number-one seeded Amherst. This year the men are prepared to do bigger and better things on the court. Some of the team players have even gone so far as to set high individual goals.
"I want to be Division III player of the year, but will settle for first team All-American," said McLeod.
"This year I hope to average a double-double playing all five positions. I also want to win a championship here so that I'll be an accomplished Division III player when I enter the draft," said Petrie.
"Dude, I'm just happy to be off the injured reserved list," said Antwan Phillips '06.
Coach Tim Gilbride expects his team to do a lot of running on the offensive end and apply a lot of pressure on defense. Aside from the obvious passion to win, Gilbride's main focus is to have his team play hard and have fun doing it. He also strives to build a better student support system for home games and has created the Polar Bear Nation.
Polar Bear Nation is the newly founded fan club for the men's basketball team. Members will have reserved seating at home games, will receive t-shirts, and will be invited to team receptions. If interested in joining, you should contact coach Gilbride at tgilbrid@bowdoin.edu.
The men kick off the season against Thomas College at the University of Maine at Farmington Tournament on Friday, November 21st at 5:30pm. Their first home game will be played on Tuesday, November 25th at 5:30pm against UNE so mark your calendars!
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