In a perfect world the Concordia men’s basketball team would’ve been playing the CIS championship final this past weekend. They also would’ve prevented the Carleton Ravens from winning their second straight National Crown. Unfortunately this isn’t a perfect world…unless you’re Carleton that is.
Two weeks have past since the Stingers were eliminated in a shocking defeat to the Bishop’s Gaiters in the QSSF semi-finals. The bitter taste of having what had been a remarkable season come to an end on their home-court might not completely leave their mouths until next year when they get a chance at redemption.
“Guys were upset. I’m sure there are a few regrets but they’re no help now,” Head Coach John Dore said. “I wouldn’t sum up the year on the last game. Where we started to where we got was an incredible journey.”
The good news is that there isn’t going to be that sad tale of the player who missed out on his last chance of representing his school at the Nationals.
It’s not written in stone that every player from this year’s edition, which finished fifth in the country, will be returning for a repeat run.
However, it is within the realm of possibility that everyone could be back for another shot at taking the next step. But Dore remains realistic when it comes to that prospect. “Everybody will probably not be back. For whatever reason, some people find it too difficult; some people might have to work, injury, whatever.”
With everyone now capable of looking past the upset to Bishop’s, there are more than a few positives to take away from the Stingers best season in several years.
The first thing that stands out is the 13-3 record that probably surprised most prediction makers. “Nobody was giving us much credit-we weren’t even ranked in the top 15,” Dore said.
A quick look down the list of veteran leadership is enough to get supporters riled up for next year, when those players will be fueled by the determination that comes with plunging into a final season.
Co-captain Phil Langlois continued to establish himself as one of the best point-guards in the country. One can only hope that Pat Perrotte will return to take physical punishment in his role as a strong presence underneath the net. Rounding out the teams’ major power players is Jonathan Dresner who, in his fourth year of eligibility, had what might have been his best season wearing the Maroon and Gold.
The youth on the Stingers was also a major factor in their success.
Leading the charge was Donal Corkum, the six-foot-five forward from Halifax was named the QSSF rookie of the year.
Another impressive rookie season came from Ben Sormonte. Hailing from Montpellier, France, Sormonte quickly assumed an on-court leadership role and was a constant threat on offence.
Unfortunately Sormonte had to miss Concordia’s playoff game after spraining his ankle in practice.
After recording just two wins two seasons ago, there’s no reason not to expect this drastic elevation of play to continue.
While Concordia, for the most part, has a complete team there still exists room for improvement in one specific area. “The biggest concern we had was rebounding. It’s an area we have to work on and we have to get somebody who works them and really goes after it,” Dore said.
Whether it be the need for a more dominant presence at the centre position, or an overall team improvement, the Stingers will unquestionably have most of the ingredients it takes to be National contenders again.
“The bottom-line is that we have good people in the program and they’re good students. It’s nice to coach a bunch of good people. That makes it enjoyable for me,” Dore says.
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