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MEN'S BASKETBALL LOCKED AND LOADED FOR 2010-11 SEASON
The Mount Ida College men's basketball team is ready and looking to pick up where they left off in the 2009/2010 season. "We are looking to compete for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship this season. With all the players returning and the success from last season we are very optimistic that winning the championship is in our sights," said 19th year head coach Rico Cabral.
The Mustangs will be looking to improve from last year's bid that went 15-11 overall and finished fourth in the GNAC losing to Johnson & Wales University in the first game of the conference tournament. The Mustangs will return three of their starters as well as some new comers who are expected to play a big role immediately for the Mustangs.
Junior co-captains Joe Cabral (Walpole, MA/Walpole) and Travis Hillery (Tyngsboro, MA/Central Catholic) will continue their roles as captains this year for the Mustangs. Cabral will be looking to add to his already impressive numbers after playing out of position his sophomore year. Last year, Cabral was the Mustangs leading rebounder averaging 6.8 a game while also adding 7.7 points per game good for fifth on the team. Cabral will move back to a more familiar position this year looking for his scoring numbers to increase with his deadly three point shooting ability.
Hillery will also be a key asset for the Mustangs under the basket like he has throughout his entire career. His leadership and work ethic is exactly what the Mustangs need to be successful this season. Last year, Hillery was the team's second leading rebounder averaging 6.7 boards a game adding 11.0 points per game. Hillery has an excellent mid range game and is the team's leading returning scorer.
Junior co-captain Isiah Benjamin (Windsor, CT/The Masters School) will play a big role in the guard position stepping into the leadership spotlight this year as co-captain. Benjamin averaged nine points per game last year and will be looked on by his teammates as a clutch three point threat down the stretch. He will be a big threat being able to take defenders in the lane off the dribble, along with a sweet touch away from the basket. Benjamin is also the team's best defender leading the Mustangs in steals (37) last year as well as second in blocks (16). Benjamin will never back down from a challenge on the defensive side of the ball as a tenacious defender.
The newest members to program will be junior point guard David Gibbs (East Hartford, CT/The Masters School), a transfer from UMASS-Amherst and returning sophomore center Jeff McNair (Brockton, MA/Brockton). Gibbs is coming off a year we he averaged 20 minutes a game for the Division I Minutemen as well as 3.0 points a game. At 6-4, Gibbs will produce match-up problems for virtually every team the Mustangs face this season. Quick off the dribble, athletic, and smart, Gibbs can play multiple roles if needed. His pass first mentality can create open looks for all of his teammates but he can also take over a game offensively at any time.
Taking over the final starting spot will be McNair who played with the Mustangs two seasons ago (2008/2009) before taking a year off to focus on his studies. McNair, standing at 6-6, will be looked on to be a big presence down low on the offense and defense ends of the floor. McNair will team up with Hillery to be key elements to the Mustangs rebounding scheme. He can hit the mid range shot consistently and is a blocking machine on the defensive side of the floor.
Mount Ida will then look to key reserves off the bench to help them to balance out the team and produce key minutes for the Mustangs.
Senior Brian Hapgood (Braintree, MA/Braintree) returns for his final season rounding out his four year career. Hapgood is the hardest working player on the team gaining much respect from the teammates around him leading by example. Brian is a tenacious defender and outstanding spot shooter from deep when left open. He played in 10 games last season tallying a field goal percentage of .429.
Senior Teddy Louis (Malden, MA/Malden) will also be an asset off the bench for the Mustangs. Louis brings energy to every game whether it is on the floor or on the bench. When on the court, Louis is as physical as they get banging down low grabbing rebounds and boxing out the oppositions biggest player. He will be looking to add on to his numbers as well as be the spark plug off the bench averaging 2.9 a game in 25 games played.
Junior Nick Lynch (Hampton Bays, NY/Hampton Bays) will be returning for his second season and he brings that killer instinct and "hard-as-nails" mentality that is contagious on the floor. Nick, who is also part of the football program, will bring physical play down low and be sure to help out in the rebounding game. Lynch can also step back and stretch you out with his range from the arc averaging .333 from downtown. The biggest part of his game will be the intensity he brings as well as his strength.
Junior Jimmy Wenz (Bayport, NY/Bayport-Blue Point) is back for his third season in a Mustang uniform and will see more minutes improving every year since he arrived. Although Wenz hasn't seen many minutes throughout his career, he will be an integral part of the Mustangs scheme for the entire season. A hard working player, Jimmy brings a tireless work ethic and a never quit attitude. Wenz is a big man that can run the floor as well as the guard with a great touch around the basket. He played in 15 games last season.
Sophomore Cliff Desrosena (Woburn, MA/Woburn) is back for his second season after walking onto the team as a freshman. Cliff brings scrappy play on the defensive side of the ball as well as a great ability to read the ball off misses for rebounds. Desrosena played in 10 games last season.
Sophomore big man Nik Montanino (Dighton, MA/Dighton-Rehoboth) is returning for his second season as a Mustang as well. Montanino is still young learning from others like McNair and Hillery. He played in 11 games last season averaging 1.2 points per game. He will play a backup role for most of the season.
Senior Thomas Belton (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) returns for his second season with the program after taking a two year hiatus. Belton, who is also a member of the men's volleyball program, brings height and a big man presence in the lane as one of the tallest Mustangs. He's a shot blocker on the defensive side of the ball and offensively has the ability to beat opposing big men down low in the post.
Freshman Xavier Wade (Bristol, CT/Bristol Eastern) is the only freshman on the roster for the Mustangs this season. Wade brings the ability and confidence to run the floor for the Mustangs. He will have good mentors with Gibbs and Benjamin in front of him and will be one of the first players off the bench. He has shown the ability to get to the basket and force defenses to make quick decisions.
