Spring Break
COMMENTARY: No need to be ashamed
by Mike Prada
Editor in Chief
Sports | 3/18/08
Posted online at 2:39 AM EST on 3/18/08
Meehan's words apply to the other key seniors on the team as well.
Like the team without DeLuca, forward Stephen Hill '08 was overlooked his entire career. In each of his first three seasons, he entered the season on the bench, only to play his way into a starting role each time.
Last Saturday, however, he fouled out with 6 minutes and 26 seconds left to go in the game. As the Lord Jeffs finished off the game, Hill held his arms over his head, powerless to delay the inevitable ending of his career.
Then there is point guard Kwame Graves-Fulgham '08, whose quiet professionalism symbolized this Judges squad. He committed four quick fouls in the team's 74-63 win over the State University of New York at Plattsburgh last Friday, but Meehan put him back in the game with 12:28 remaining, trusting him to not pick up the fifth foul that would have disqualified him. Graves-Fulgham didn't, and the Judges won because of it.
One cannot forget about guard Florian Rexhepi '08, who never complained even when he lost his starting job, or center John Saucier '08, who provided comedic relief even as his knees deteriorated. This group will undoubtedly be missed, and one look at the Brandeis fan section, whose noise drowned out the far larger contingents from Amherst and Plattsburgh State last weekend illustrates the significant off-court impact the five departed seniors had on the program.
Meehan may not have most of his ballyhooed first recruiting class next season, but it should not matter.
This season was easily the finest coaching job of his career, as he somehow managed to lead the Judges much further than anyone could have anticipated especially without DeLuca. Even last weekend, his coaching was on full display.
His switch to a zone defense late in the team's win over Plattsburgh State neutralized all-American senior guard Anthony Williams, and though the Judges lost in the next round, Meehan was again able to devise a game plan that held Amherst all-American senior point guard Andrew Olson in check.
In the end, the players' resolve and Meehan's coaching weren't able to lead the Judges past Amherst's giants and to their ultimate goal. But this team not only will be the gold standard for all other men's basketball squads, but it also laid the framework for what should continue to be an incredibly successful program.
Like the team without DeLuca, forward Stephen Hill '08 was overlooked his entire career. In each of his first three seasons, he entered the season on the bench, only to play his way into a starting role each time.
Last Saturday, however, he fouled out with 6 minutes and 26 seconds left to go in the game. As the Lord Jeffs finished off the game, Hill held his arms over his head, powerless to delay the inevitable ending of his career.
Then there is point guard Kwame Graves-Fulgham '08, whose quiet professionalism symbolized this Judges squad. He committed four quick fouls in the team's 74-63 win over the State University of New York at Plattsburgh last Friday, but Meehan put him back in the game with 12:28 remaining, trusting him to not pick up the fifth foul that would have disqualified him. Graves-Fulgham didn't, and the Judges won because of it.
One cannot forget about guard Florian Rexhepi '08, who never complained even when he lost his starting job, or center John Saucier '08, who provided comedic relief even as his knees deteriorated. This group will undoubtedly be missed, and one look at the Brandeis fan section, whose noise drowned out the far larger contingents from Amherst and Plattsburgh State last weekend illustrates the significant off-court impact the five departed seniors had on the program.
Meehan may not have most of his ballyhooed first recruiting class next season, but it should not matter.
This season was easily the finest coaching job of his career, as he somehow managed to lead the Judges much further than anyone could have anticipated especially without DeLuca. Even last weekend, his coaching was on full display.
His switch to a zone defense late in the team's win over Plattsburgh State neutralized all-American senior guard Anthony Williams, and though the Judges lost in the next round, Meehan was again able to devise a game plan that held Amherst all-American senior point guard Andrew Olson in check.
In the end, the players' resolve and Meehan's coaching weren't able to lead the Judges past Amherst's giants and to their ultimate goal. But this team not only will be the gold standard for all other men's basketball squads, but it also laid the framework for what should continue to be an incredibly successful program.
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