Hello Fighting Scots' men's basketball fans! Welcome to the last Coach's Corner of the Fall semester. Our team begins finals week today, and then they will all disperse to their homes for the Christmas break.
 
If you read last week's edition, you are aware that we had a very difficult three-game week this past week. It started on Tuesday when we traveled to Worcester to take on the Lancers of Worcester State. They were a very athletic and skilled team, even though their record wasn't very good. They had played several difficult games, and had competed very well in most of those. In the first half, we shot the ball very well, but the problem was that we were trying to beat them at their own game. This season, we have done a much better job of moving the ball, and playing stronger defense. During the first half of this game, we took a lot of quick shots, and although many of them went in, we played right into the hands of the up-tempo Lancers. Even though we shot over 60% in the half, we held only a one-point lead. We went ice cold in the second half, and they capitalized, taking home the victory. Alex Daniel and Drew Brander led us in scoring with 20 and 18 points, respectively, but neither of them had an assist. They are both averaging about three assists per game on the season, and when they are getting their teammates involved, we play better as a team.
 
We didn't have much time to, "cry over spilled milk", because two days later we were hosting Colby-Sawyer College. Again, we shot the ball very well in the first half, but the difference was that we shared the ball very well, and we defended much better. We went into halftime leading 42–27. We bumped the lead up to 20 points early in the second half, and at this point, I think the team felt like the game was over and they didn't need to keep the same intensity. Colby-Sawyer continued to battle, and although they never got closer than eight points, it didn't allow me to play some of the players that work so hard in practice, but don't get to play much in the games. Isaac Jarvis and Alex Daniel led us in scoring with 22 points each, followed closely by Sean Quanico with 19 points. Isaac also had 14 rebounds and Willem Le Plastrier chipped in with 10 rebounds. Drew Brander led us in assists with eight. Although I thought we could have played much better, it was still good to come away with an 87–73 win.
 
Finally, two days later, we travel to Lasell University for what I knew was going to be our most difficult opponent of the week. In a quick summary of the game, our offense struggled throughout, but I thought our team played with the highest level of mental and physical toughness that we have displayed so far this season. We shot less than 38% from the field, and 28% from three-point range, and had 16 turnovers, but we gave ourselves a chance to win the game with our toughness. Alex led the way with 20 points, and Drew had 19 and 12 rebounds. Sean chipped in with 12 points and four assists, while Isaac had 15 rebounds and played tough interior defense, adding four blocked shots. We ended up losing 77–68.
 
The first semester of basketball is now over, and our record is certainly not what we were hoping for at 3–8. The good news is that we are 2–1 in conference play, and hopefully we will get everyone back from their injuries for the Spring semester. I'm not trying to make excuses, but 11 games into the season, we only have four players that have played every game and only one that has started every game. Our typical playing rotation is 9 or 10 guys, and yet we have already started 11 different players this season due to injuries. If we can stay healthy in the second semester, I think we are a very dangerous team.
 
The first semester we had some notable numbers for our team, and for some individuals. As a team, we are holding opponents to just 38.5% shooting from the field while shooting 44.7% ourselves. On the downside, we are losing the possession game. We are averaging almost six more turnovers per game than our opponents and giving up three more offensive rebounds to our opponents. If we can improve in those areas, we will be hard to beat. 
 
On the individual side of things, here are some notable numbers from the first semester. Alex leads the team in scoring at 17.3 points per game. Isaac leads us in rebounding at 9.0 per game and Sean averages 3.5 assists per game to lead the team. Drew is second on the team in scoring at 15.6, rebounding at 7.5, and assists at 3.1. Ryan Brooks is shooting 65% from the field and averages 3.6 assists and 2.2 blocked shots per game, but has only played in five games. We have some tremendous parts, and when we put them all together, we can beat anyone in the CNE. If we play as individuals, we can lose to any team in the CNE. I like the direction we are going, and I look forward to the Spring semester. 
 
I would like to wish everyone a truly blessed Christmas season! I pray that we can all remain focused on the reason for the season, which is the virgin birth of our Lord and Savior. Thank you for your continued support, and we could certainly use some help with our home games before the students return to campus. I hope to see you at a game soon. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
 
God Bless,
   Coach Murphy
 
"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:10-11