2008 Woodie Awards
Goucher Basketball Update: The Men
Elizabeth Fields
Issue date: 11/12/03 Section: Sports and Wellness
The men's basketball team won't play their first game for another ten days, but nearly two weeks into the practice season, Head Coach Leonard Trevino is cautiously optimistic so far. "I'm not seeing any problems right now," he says. "I have no real concerns."
With good reason. Last year the men's basketball team finished 16-10, 9-5 in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC), and eleven players from last year have returned for this season. Of the fourteen men on the team, only three are freshmen.
"They're an experienced group," Trevino said. "The juniors and sophomores who have returned have already played in some big games."
Last year the men's basketball team lost to Mary Washington in the CAC championship tournament semifinals. In the past, Goucher has won a total of four CAC titles, played in six of the past nine CAC championship contests, and advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament three times. They took their last CAC championship title four years ago.
Trevino's intense coaching style and strong record as the only head coach in the thirteen-year history of the men's basketball program at Goucher is part of what gives him confidence.
"I'd say potentially these guys are as good as any of my championship teams," said Trevino. "They have the talent and experience; now we're just trying to put those things together."
Returning this year are record-holders Jonathan Garritt '06 in assists; Isaac Brooks III '04 in field goals, assists, and free throws; and Trevor Quinn '05 in free throws.
You could say that the new guys have a lot to live up to.
"Including the freshmen, they're a tight-knit group," Trevino said. "They have good team chemistry. These guys like each other, they want to be playing on the court with each other. That's important."
Is it all about the attitude? Well, some, yes. But Trevino is also optimistic about the physical prowess of the team. Ten of the fourteen players top six feet easily; the other four are in the upper half of the five-foot mark. "These guys are fast, and they're big," Trevino said.
The Penn State-Behrend Tip-off Tournament at the Erie, PA campus of Penn State on November 22 and 23 will be the first test for the men. They will travel to South Carolina for the Myrtle Beach Thanksgiving Classic on November 28 and 29, but their first home game is against St. Mary's on December 3. Last year Goucher narrowly defeated St. Mary's with a final score of 65-61.
"I can't really say I'm worried about anything at this moment," Trevino said. "We'll be going after teams that are very good, and I just hope I have the players who accept that challenge."
With good reason. Last year the men's basketball team finished 16-10, 9-5 in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC), and eleven players from last year have returned for this season. Of the fourteen men on the team, only three are freshmen.
"They're an experienced group," Trevino said. "The juniors and sophomores who have returned have already played in some big games."
Last year the men's basketball team lost to Mary Washington in the CAC championship tournament semifinals. In the past, Goucher has won a total of four CAC titles, played in six of the past nine CAC championship contests, and advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament three times. They took their last CAC championship title four years ago.
Trevino's intense coaching style and strong record as the only head coach in the thirteen-year history of the men's basketball program at Goucher is part of what gives him confidence.
"I'd say potentially these guys are as good as any of my championship teams," said Trevino. "They have the talent and experience; now we're just trying to put those things together."
Returning this year are record-holders Jonathan Garritt '06 in assists; Isaac Brooks III '04 in field goals, assists, and free throws; and Trevor Quinn '05 in free throws.
You could say that the new guys have a lot to live up to.
"Including the freshmen, they're a tight-knit group," Trevino said. "They have good team chemistry. These guys like each other, they want to be playing on the court with each other. That's important."
Is it all about the attitude? Well, some, yes. But Trevino is also optimistic about the physical prowess of the team. Ten of the fourteen players top six feet easily; the other four are in the upper half of the five-foot mark. "These guys are fast, and they're big," Trevino said.
The Penn State-Behrend Tip-off Tournament at the Erie, PA campus of Penn State on November 22 and 23 will be the first test for the men. They will travel to South Carolina for the Myrtle Beach Thanksgiving Classic on November 28 and 29, but their first home game is against St. Mary's on December 3. Last year Goucher narrowly defeated St. Mary's with a final score of 65-61.
"I can't really say I'm worried about anything at this moment," Trevino said. "We'll be going after teams that are very good, and I just hope I have the players who accept that challenge."