By Brandon Farren, Staff Writer
After a disappointing 2017- 2018 campaign, the Susquehanna men’s basketball team is entering the season with a clear-cut identity and is looking toward the future.
Last year’s River Hawks finished the season with a 10– 14 record, with a 7–7 record in Landmark Conference play, well below the mark they set for themselves. One of their most glaring issues was on the defensive end. The focus of last year’s team was primarily offensive, which led to some clear mental lapses on the other side of the ball.
“We would have defensive breakdowns on almost every possession,” sophomore point guard Mike Kempski said. No matter how many points a team puts up, they must be able to get stops when needed and last year’s just didn’t get enough stops in crucial moments.”
The team has come into the new season very aware of their defensive issues of last season and has adjusted their focus accordingly. When asked about the changes in practice, Kempski said, “This year has been a lot closer to a 50/50 split when it comes to offense and defensive focus in practice.”
For himself, Kempski is committed to doing whatever the team asks of him, whether it be facilitating the ball, bringing extra effort on defense, or filling it where ever coach sees fit. This is an attitude the whole team has adopted as they seem dedicated to growing this season.
Head coach Frank Marcinek summarized the goal of this team as taking care of the process. This isn’t a year where there is a set number of wins, or accolades that will define success; it is a year where growth and effort will be how they measure the success of the 2018-2019 season. The process this team believes in is to be the best that you can be every day.
“Our guys have been working extremely hard every day, they have prepared themselves as well as any team I have ever coached,” Coach Marcinek said when asked about how this team has been taking care of the process.
Coach Marcinek plans to turn a weakness into a strength this season. He sees defense and shooting as two main strengths that will help carry this young team in the new season. “I think it is really going to start with our defense, but we have a lot of guys who can really shoot the ball and the way the game is evolving, making three-point shots is really important,” Marcinek said.
When asked to spotlight a few names that fans should watch out for this season, the responses consistently included, senior guard Tyler Hoagland, senior guard Seth Callahan, sophomore guard Matt LaCorte, and sophomore guard Bryce Butler.
The River Hawks begin their season on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at Arcadia before their home opener on Friday, Nov. 20.