There is just no delicate way to discuss last year’s 2-13 record. The Concordia Stingers’ men’s basketball team would just as soon forget the 2001-2002 season ever happened.
But that would mean missing the opportunity to re-evaluate and look for answers.
“Our problem last year was that we were undersized,” says head coach John Dore, in his twelfth year at the job. “We were not as strong and big as the other teams and we lacked versatility.”
That has changed.
Enter 6-foot-10, 210 lbs. rookie Dan Lacasse, who sat out last year because of ineligibility, a player who can go at the post or at the point.
“Lacasse is kind of unique in that we can put him one on one cover on the guards or on the boards,” says Dore, who likes the abilities of the young player. “We can put him as a guard if we have to.”
“I will go wherever the teams needs me,” says Lacasse, a 23-year-old who only started playing ball at the age of 15.
“I like to hit the six-to-nine footer jumpers and it is reassuring to know that I can dish off the ball to my teammates on the perimeter.”
Patrick Perot, a 6-foot-3 rookie, weighing in over 200 lbs, is the man to watch carefully as an offensive threat.
Rookie Philip Nayar, a 6-foot-8 post player, along with Lacasse, will be able to control the inside and allow the shooters to step out to the perimeter.
Dore is especially fond of Nayar’s versatility and physical play.
“Nayar is a good, rugged and athletic player with some quickness around the lane on offence and defence,” Dore explains.
The result: a more physical and versatile team.
This has second year starting guard Philippe Langois excited.
“The guys were playing inside last year because of lack of size,” Langois says.
“Now we can move to the perimeter and open up the court when we want because our taller players can control the inside game.”
What the additions have created is a whole new offence.
The players on the perimeter won’t have to cheat as much and that provides a clearer pass to the big post players.
The point guard position now becomes a multiple threat, creating the option to penetrate and score, penetrate and shoot, penetrate and draw double coverage and dish off to the open player, or take the jumper.
“We went from smallest team in the league last year and we could be the biggest team in the league,” says Dore.
Size has also created a more diversified and dynamic team.
Johnathan Dresner, standing at 6-foot-5, can play the three spot, Jeff Ber, 6-foot-6, can also play there, and Kurt McAlpine will have a more versatile role.
Opponents will now see a very flexible and capable Stinger team, an asset which can be of a tremendous help.
“We can give our opponents different versions of our team,” says Dore.
Lacasse sat out last year and watched with despair from the sidelines.
This year he stands behind the team philosophy that they do not accept losing.
“Last year we were always in the game,” Lacasse explains. “But the bigger teams took of advantage of our small size.”
Langlois would prefer to learn from the 2001-02 season rather than simply put it behind him.
“The mood in camp is positive,” he says.
“Everyone is here to win and that is the message we sent to Coach Dore and assistant coach Ernie Rosa.”
Student therapist and scorekeeper Sabrina Hanna, who has dutifully kept score for the team for the past five years, has also adopted the team’s ‘never surrender’ philosophy and has taken it upon herself to be the team’s morale booster.
“Sometimes I just listen and try to motivate them,” she says.
Dore likes her attitude.
“That is what teamwork is all about,” he explained. “Our new additions compliment what we have and there is no reason this team cannot go all the way to the finals this year.”
