Men's Basketball 2-1 in Conference Play
Kevin Kelly
Issue date: 12/15/07 Section: Maverick Sports
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The Mercy College men's basketball is on the rise due to their new attitude and leadership from newly appointed head coach Tony Staffiere and their strong veteran core of players such as Chanze Wellington, Paul Flowers and Victor Sidberry. The Mavericks have started out the season 2-4 with wins over Dowling and Queens College. They are 2-1 in East Coast tournament play, and seem to be getting better with each game as their schedule progresses.
The Mavericks have a number strengths that I see from their team, notably the team is very athletic and fast. What they lack in size and an inside post game from any of their forwards, they cover for in their excellent outside shooting and strong defensive play lead by Flowers, who coach Staffiere mentioned was one of the best defenders in the conference.
The Mavericks strong outside shooting is helping them score, lead by senior guard Wellington, who is shooting better than 50 percent from 3-point range, hitting 17 out of 31 triples. The team is also shooting well from beyond that arc by freshman Jimmy Gunville, who is 11 for 30 from outside.
Although the Mavericks aren't the biggest team in the league, they seem to be playing an up tempo style of defense and are hitting the defensive boards hard, turning it around for their offensive plays. Through the young season, the Mavericks are lead by Flowers with 25 defensive rebounds and 15 offensive boards, keeping the offense alive for the team. Sophomore Vince Jordan is also strong on the defensive side of the ball, grabbing 32 total rebounds on the young season.
As of the Mavericks recent games, they played an exciting game Dec. 5 against visiting Dowling, winning an important conference game on a game winning, 16-foot buzzer beater by Michael Marin, giving the Mavericks their second win of the season, winning 62-60 in an exciting defensive game.
The Mavericks will need to stay focused as their schedule toughens up in the upcoming weeks, having a five game road trip that includes one conference game against
NYIT. The team will travel to Southern New Hampshire on a long road trip to finish up the tiresome travels, then return home to play conference rival Adelphi University.
The Mavericks will have to rely on their strong veteran core and outside shooting in order to stay competitive against the competitive East Coast Conference teams and stay in contention for one of the eight playoffs spots available.
The Mavericks have a strong core of veteran players to go along with younger players and have formed a close unity on the court. Although losing some close contests in their young season, the have showed that the Mavericks will be competitors in the East Coast Conference, and hopefully make some noise to establish that the program is an improving and successful one.
The Mavericks have a number strengths that I see from their team, notably the team is very athletic and fast. What they lack in size and an inside post game from any of their forwards, they cover for in their excellent outside shooting and strong defensive play lead by Flowers, who coach Staffiere mentioned was one of the best defenders in the conference.
The Mavericks strong outside shooting is helping them score, lead by senior guard Wellington, who is shooting better than 50 percent from 3-point range, hitting 17 out of 31 triples. The team is also shooting well from beyond that arc by freshman Jimmy Gunville, who is 11 for 30 from outside.
Although the Mavericks aren't the biggest team in the league, they seem to be playing an up tempo style of defense and are hitting the defensive boards hard, turning it around for their offensive plays. Through the young season, the Mavericks are lead by Flowers with 25 defensive rebounds and 15 offensive boards, keeping the offense alive for the team. Sophomore Vince Jordan is also strong on the defensive side of the ball, grabbing 32 total rebounds on the young season.
As of the Mavericks recent games, they played an exciting game Dec. 5 against visiting Dowling, winning an important conference game on a game winning, 16-foot buzzer beater by Michael Marin, giving the Mavericks their second win of the season, winning 62-60 in an exciting defensive game.
The Mavericks will need to stay focused as their schedule toughens up in the upcoming weeks, having a five game road trip that includes one conference game against
NYIT. The team will travel to Southern New Hampshire on a long road trip to finish up the tiresome travels, then return home to play conference rival Adelphi University.
The Mavericks will have to rely on their strong veteran core and outside shooting in order to stay competitive against the competitive East Coast Conference teams and stay in contention for one of the eight playoffs spots available.
The Mavericks have a strong core of veteran players to go along with younger players and have formed a close unity on the court. Although losing some close contests in their young season, the have showed that the Mavericks will be competitors in the East Coast Conference, and hopefully make some noise to establish that the program is an improving and successful one.
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