MBB: Conference of New England

[gullfan]

 Endicott has played so few conference games. That weill make their second half that much more stressed. If they play hard, keep the turnovers down and keep hitting from 3-land they could really have an impact. Is 10-3  or 9-4  too much to ask?
This will be a test of the coach as well. Can he get the boys up, make adjustments and come up with different game plans and tendencies for some many big games so close together.
I'm not overlooking anybody here. Wit, Gordon, RWU are the tip of the iceberg for the Gulls over the next few weeks. Can't wait to get back and see them in action.

[BBall_AllDay54]

Wentworth played one hell of a game.  It was back anf fourth at one point and then Wentworth statred to make a run feeding the ball inside and running screens all over Gordon.  The officials missed some calls last night, but when do they ever get things 100% correct.  PB, and Doyle played a good game even with Doyle fouling out, and the inside game was good also from Bynes.  I think it was a good win for them, and maybe signs of more to come.  

As for Mr. Bartelle his halftime show of chucking up three's from half court don't know what that is all about but from my understanding he's taking a leave of absence from the team, and will return next season, maybe that's a goodthing for Curry next season to have a player like him coming back, and hopefully with a new attitude.

[CCC Talk]

Thanks for the input James 

[BBall_AllDay54]

LOL  Not this time

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

If he's still hanging around Curry, he must still be in school there.  If he is, I can't imagine he'd have any eligibility left with the 4 in 5 thing in full effect.

[backboard]

Just as a side note: its true that the refs weren't the greatest last night, but Gordon shot 41% while allowing Wentworth to shoot 57% for the game.  I think we're all overlooking that fact.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Just as a side note: its true that the refs weren't the greatest last night, but Gordon shot 41% while allowing Wentworth to shoot 57% for the game.  I think we're all overlooking that fact.

And Wentworth didn't shoot threes, which they are very apt to do.  I think you're seeing a squad finally start to gel a little and listen to their coaches.  Gordon's not going to get beat in a shoot out; even if you don't think you're gonna win, it's still dumb to do anything but dump it inside on them until they prove otherwise.

I really like this new line-up from WIT.  I think it will do some very good things for them.

[soontocome]

Wentworth is a well rounded team, very guard heavy with blue, doyle, bolton, wentworth, and others who dont get much burn, however wentworth has a two experianced big men, Gaine and Weonard along with freshman shane west who will prove to be a big help for wentworth.  they should smoke AM today considering they are on a good run and are looking to be a force in the CCC

[d3bballinboston]

Saturday, January 20th- The New England College Pilgrims (7-7, 2-3 CCC) fell 87-90 to the visiting Newbury College Nighthawks (8-6, 0-0 Ind) in an exhilarating match-up at Bridges Gym. 



The Nighthawks led from the get-go as sophomore Kevin Cleveland (Lynn, MA) dropped in a game-high 26 points and nine rebounds for Newbury.  The Pilgrims played a constant game of catch-up as Patrick Quinn (Sr., Holbrook, NY) contributed 17 points to the Pilgrim's offense.  NEC trailed 35-47 at the half.



The Nighthawks continued to lead until a Pilgrims run late in the second stanza that tied the game at 84 a piece.  NEC freshman Andre MacDonald (Hanson, MA) knocked down two three-pointers late in the game to keep the Pilgrims afloat.  Newbury retained the lead and held off the NEC onslaught to walk away with a 90-87 victory. 



Five NEC players scored in double digits including Quinn, Tyler Evans (Fr., Hartford, CT) with 15, Ryan Jaziri (Jr., Norwich, CT) with 16, Antoine Sylvia (Sr., Brockton, MA) with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Trevor Tonkovich (Fr., Point Pleasant, NJ) with 14.  Newbury's Heman Honore (Fr., Medford, MA) had 18 points and Steven Morris (Sr., Somerville, MA) had 16 for the Nighthawks.

[Jim Rome Of The CCC]

(this is all meant in jest, I'm taking shots at everyone, I love this league...don't worry about it, nothing personal)


*The Iggy Pop Song "Lust For Life" Plays*

Welcome back...this is Jim Rome on the premier sports radio networks devoting my time today to New England Division 3 Basketball...in particular...The Commonwealth Coast Conference. We have open phones in the first hour so James in Bristol stay on the line we'll get to your R-Dub take and we are out to former Fightin Scot Hayes Murray and "Hoops Fan" on the phones to talk some hoops.

This week may have in fact been the wackiest week of a wacky year in a wacky league...fantastic.

Let's start in New London New Hampshire...anytime you lose what they lost you can't be sure what to expect...not only did they lose the big fella Andrew St. Clair who last I heard was running the pick and pop with a bunch of dudes who in their spare time try to deny William Wallace his freedom, they also lost Colin Bray and Jim Thorpe....All American....Rack That...Coach Foti the salty vet of the league has a new cast of characters and they are starting to play pretty well...let us talk about Ryan Murray ... this kid is grabbing rebounds at a MAMOTH clip. They are getting some offense from Nate "Marty Cordova" Truncellito and from a collection of talented frosh. Outstanding. Plus anytime you have to play in that airplane hanger they call a gym on a bathroom tile floor it's gonna be a rough night. I think things will continue to improve for the Chargers...excellent.

Moving on to Beverly...The Power Gulls ERRRRR just the Gulls still feature Nejmanja Markinovic possibly THE best Serbian player in the entire league and are still dangerous at home in the Post Center in front of their legions of fans who didn't get in to their first choice school...none the less Chris Millette has the boys playing like a tough out. They were able to beat Bridgewater State the other day and as they enter this tough stretch of roughly one million league games in 3 weeks...we should learn a lot more about them...and the play of Gsmizzle22.

Boston...What Is Up?...Who is this team and what have they done with The Leopards...Six wins in a row, are you freaking kidding me? This is Wentworth we're talking about here. Wentworth the team...not Wentworth the player...not that the fact that they have a player named Wentworth isn't ridiculous...rack that...I know most things...and I had no idea this team could even hang with Gordon...let alone beat them. I have no freaking clue what to expect from this team the rest of the way...Prezzie Blue is scary right now, all he and Doyle haven't been able to do lately is build themselves a gym.

Up in Henniker is my one of my favorite stories of the CCC year thus far...Ryan Jaziri is strongly campaigning to have his name changed to Ryan Freaking Jaziri...and as you know that is the highest compliment I can level...We're talking about a kid who was basically a good role playing guard for the last 2 years and all of a sudden he's leading the freaking league in scoring...I mean I half expect this kid to start screaming "HIBACHI" and launching from 25 feet...Plus the fact that a third of their freaking roster was born in Jolly Old England...Rack the English Muffins...I still see good things for the Pilgrims in the second semester even if their gym needs a freaking silo.

*shuffles papers*

How about up in Maine. Or as some would call it "Canada Junior". Noreaster Fan...can not be pumped with the record, but can be pumped with the win over Curry. Freaking outstanding. Steve Belmonte is turning himself into a quality CCC guard right before our eyes and Issac Stickney is in running for MVV...Most Valuable Viking...kid is a warrior. This team will beat someone in the near future...hopefully Matt McManus will call me up for some jungle karma.

Lastly...Wenham...I was waiting until last to get to Wenhem because I know Gordon Fan is taking time off from their cookie baking and inspiration saying recitation to read about the CCC. Don't let that hiccup against Wentworth throw you...this is still the team to beat in the North and I don't see them losing again in league play to be honest...Justin Kaufman and Jerry Logan is about as good as it gets as far as a backcourt in this league and when Marstaller doesn't make faces and just plays he's a freaking force to be reckoned with in the paint...Trigg and now Bajema have the luxury of slowly working their way into the rotation while the vets knock down shot after shot...Couple that with the strongest fan support in the league and you have a win win win situation in Scot Nation...One has to wonder what would happen if they were to win the conference tournament...between Coach Shauer's turned ankle from dancing up and down the sideline and the G rated revelry of the fan base it might be too much for me to take...I do think they'll win it though...If they do boys and girls may even be allowed to hold hands for the weekend at GC.


*shuffles papers*

I have an email here.... It reads "Jim, James Bartelle is the missing ingredient for Curry....signed...James Bartelle.".....hilarious 

Let's move on the South.

Milton Massachusetts....what is up?....Honestly is there anyone in this league cooler than Malcom Wynn? Dude's suits are ON POINT. Also that little fact that he's won a national freaking championship...rack that...As for his squad they are a Forrest Gump team across the board...you never know what you're going to get...Tim Jones is the best guard in the South...and they have a 6'10 dude hanging around that puts up numbers from time to time...I like them to finish second in the South...when they show up...they can take anyone.

Newport...Salve Regina...they have some serious talent on this campus ERRRRRR rich girls...and the basketball team is pretty good as well...Matt Grendel is another candidate for Most Valuble Freaking Viking. I'm pretty sure when they go to Roger Williams they don't even take a bus...they just hitch up Grendel to a freaking yoke and let him pull the wagon. Also honestly if you were a recruit why would you not go to Salve...it's in Newport...let's see Newport or Henniker?...Newport or Paxton?...Newport or a a housing project? (Wentworth)...I gotta go with Newport...They don't quite have the horses for a home game I don't think, but should be a spoiler night in and night out.

What is up in Paxton...Anna Maria is trying to get after it...on that 6 acre lot they call a campus...Sean Conrad is the coach there now and that dude is tough as nails...They've beaten Eastern Naz twice in the battle for pride and pride alone and just hung a 85 spot on Wentworth...This is another team that could beat someone...also when I am the president of sports I'm having an investigation into what in the hell an amcat is...rack it.

Over in Dudley...Nichols is getting used to life without Justin Lewis...Justin Lewis is a beast...but no longer a beast playing for that team...Coach Sockolnicki is one of the true good guys in the game however and you know he's got something up his sleeve. Vallee despite looking like a civil war soldier/samuri/k-fed on any given night with that ridiculous mane is showing why he has to be a candidate for player of the year...Also Chris Paquin is taking a look at getting his name in the Rookie Of The Year race...I will hopefully be speaking with Casey Butler later in hour 3 on the phones...but only if Jay Stew can run him down for me...

Quincy Massachusetts...Eastern Nazarene is getting close to fulfilling one of my personal dreams...I have always wanted to see a team run the table in reverse...unfortunately I think Coach Yeh is too good a coach and the players are too talented to not get a win somewhere along the line, crushing my dream...none the less Luc Jasmin and John Marcellous can both play the game...and after a close loss to Anna Maria and a closer game than expected with Gordon they will take one somewhere...and when they do they will be dancing in the aisles at ENC...or they won't...not sure if dancing is allowed. 

Lastly Bristol...James stay on the line we will still get to your take, I promise and you may very well win the slingbox...Mike Tully or as I like to call him "The Accountant" has quite a roster this year including Geoff "I'm 7 feet tall" Barrenger...Division 3 Basketball should look into a height restriction...the dude is 7 freaking feet tall, but none the less Dan Gumb is back as well...Great story, love to see a hard nosed kid come all the way back from a terrible injury...Brandon Parish is still around Bristol and hits the glass hard and they have a strong collection of Guards that are among the better backcourts in the league...The only thing wrong with this team is they play in Rhode Island...which has no business being a state...it's like...the size of a decent sized town out in the 909...and probably just as clean...but looking past that, they are my pick to win the south, and probably the entire league.....Scotts and Hawks for all the marbles...they got a good look at it.

*shuffles papers*

So there we are with a quick trip around the CCC, I'll be back next week with more takes that do not suck...for the entire league and the crew in Southern California I am Jim Rome and I am out.......GOOD NIGHT NOW

[gullfan]

 Sad to say my Gulls didn't do so well at CSC. It was ugly to watch - on both sides, actually. The only quieter gym I've seen was the Amcats.
They couldn't finish, didn't execute, porous defense and ball handling issues. EC has to pick up the intensity, they run they have coming up is killer if they don't turn this around  FAST.
To echo someone's comments from earlier - what is going on with the officials. I know it's a tough job, but their efficincy in D3 is pretty horrible.  They call nothing for a while, guys start beating the crap out of each other and they the touch fouls come. Tempers rise and there are too many near bouts. Take control of the game. Oh, and by the way, is it too much for them to know the simple rules. Like if you have the ball and your foot touches the line it's the other teams ball? If they can't get that right, the tougher calls on fouls, blocks, charges etc. are lost!!!!!
Trust me - that is NOT why Endicott lost - but it plays into what might have been a better game. Offensive flow, defensive intenisty etc. can be dictated by a bad crew. This is the last go round for these guys and they deserve better. On every team. The sacrifices they make to play, the effort they put in  should be rewarded, not interupted by inept officials! Is there any help for these players?

[Maq Diesel]

I love the Jim Rome take.

Gullfan we all feel your pain, if refs aren't blowing calls they are setting the tempo and controlling the games.  The issue is the three ref system.  Two many personalities.  With two refs you get much more effort and consistency.  But there is little chance of going back to two reffs.  We also probably get the shaft with refs because there is so much college basketball going on around here, we have the highest concentration of colleges in the country so the good ones get spread out thin.  I guess we just have to deal with it.

[gullfan]

 I hear you! But here is how refs effect the games. Two quick, cheap fouls in the first half will almost always put a player on the bench for the half. If the calls are consistent and the players know what to expect, they can take steps to avoid the second foul. Impact players can be effected by sitting - or playing against a lesser defender. It does go both ways.
I watched a player foul out of a close game earlier this year. Problem was, he didn't commit the foul that was called, but was id-ed as the fouler. He now sits for the last 5+ minutes and the team loses by a small number. How much does that call effect how the rest of the game played out. Nobody was denying the foul- just call it on the right player.
Hey Hoops Fan or Pat Coleman - do the coaches get the chance to rate the officials performance and maybe request to NOT get certains refs or teams of refs? Just thought you two might have more info. Thanks.

[Pat Coleman]

Hey Hoops Fan or Pat Coleman - do the coaches get the chance to rate the officials performance and maybe request to NOT get certains refs or teams of refs? Just thought you two might have more info. Thanks.

That is a conference-level decision. Some leagues do this.

[dwebbs]

The GC/ENC games was closer than most thought, but for ENC.. that their championship game, so they gave it their all. They're better than an 0-15 team.

That being said, Gordon has shot 10-45 in their last two games from beyond the arc. They'll need to find their touch from behind the arc if they want to compete Tuesday.