Men's basketball sets new goals, eyes NCAA championship

By Steven Chambers
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Norwich men's basketball team is still very young , but they have nine returning players, a new start, and a decisive goal of bettering last year's record of 6-18 in the GNAC (Great North Athletic Conference). They are also trying to make a run for the NCAA's this season.

Led by returning captain Matt Johnson, 20, a mechanical engineering major from Fishkill, NY, whose leadership helps keep this young team together and focused on adjusting to the college style of play.

Now one year matured, Johnson plans to head this team into the 2002-03 season with a new goal and new objective of being contenders in both the GNAC and NCAA's.

"I feel as though we have more balance this year, and with the guys from last year having a season of experience and the new guys stepping in along with everyone else and playing hard, this season has a very positive outlook," said Johnson.

To help Johnson carry the load of leadership for this team is returning captain Ben Clark and new appointed captain Adrain Ackles. Ackles, a 6'6" player from Alexandria, Va., also has high expectations for this season.

Head coach Paul Booth appointed Ackles to this leadership position, because he looks to Ackles to be a leader both on and off the court.

Ackles, a business management major and an active member on the student senate committee, will be testing his leadership and his physical abilities this season if he hopes to help the team better their 6-18 record of last year.

"Bringing the team together and working as a unit will help us attain our goals of winning more games this year," said Ackles.

With the team being a year older and with the number of returning players, the outlook of this year's season is much more promising than last year. Booth agrees that with the returning nine players and the talent of the new players who have already started to step up and contribute a lot to this team, the future looks very promising after two satisfying scrimmages against Division II St. Micheal's College and another against Castleton State, a rival Vermont college.

The cadets showed signs promising increased maturity from a year ago. They seem to be focused on a plan, determined to reach their goal, and look to raise some expectations.

Even with aspects of a better season than last year, the Cadets still find themselves with obstacles to overcome.

The age and experience factors remain the main and most troublesome areas. Only three players have three years of experience; the rest are either freshmen or sophomores, with the exception of one Junior College transfer. The Cadets remain a young team but with the ability to grow.

Another area being stressed for improvement in the Cadets team is their scoring ability.

On Saturday, November 23, the Cadets had their first game in Plattsburgh, New York, in the Plattsburgh Pepsi Cardinal Classic against the Plattsburgh State Cardinals. Mark Jones scored on a put back with three seconds left in overtime to give Norwich a 65-63 win over Plattsburgh State in overtime at the Pepsi Cardinal Classic on Saturday Night. Adrian Ackles scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Cadets. In the championship, Lenworth Haynes scored 29 points for the Cadets, but that was not enough, as a late basket gave St. Lawrence University (Ontario) a 70-68 win over Norwich in the Championship Game of the Plattsburgh Pepsi Cardinal Classic.

Norwich is now 1-1 on the season with their next game on Wednesday, December 4, 2002, at Johnson State. The game will be at 7 p.m. This weekend, the Cadets will host the Ed Hockenbury Classic on Saturday and Sunday. The Cadets will be playing Lyndon at 1 pm.

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