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- Category: Past Issues
By Ron P. Coderre
THOMPSON — Last season something happened to the Marianapolis men’s basketball program that hadn’t occurred in a number of seasons. The Golden Knights posted a 14-15 record. The losing season, something the Thompson school isn’t accustomed to, raised the consciousness of the coaching staff to a DEFCON 5 level.
Under third-year head coach Andrew Vitale, the Knights are hoping to avoid a repeat of last season’s performance. Vitale and his staff have reloaded with what appears to be a deep and talented squad as the team embarks on an ambitious 30-game regular season schedule.
“Our goal is to get back to the NEPSAC Class AA Tournament. It’s a realistic goal if the tenor of the practices is any indication of the competitiveness of these players,” said Vitale.
Vitale and the Knights return four players who know the program’s system. Seniors Greg Senat and Alex Dubovitsky, along with forward Bobby Ahearn and guard Eric D’Aguanno, form the nucleus of the returnees.
The Knights’ shopping list of recruits includes a trio of guards and a pair of forwards, all who are capable of helping put this program on the positive side of the ledger. Stephen Edmonds, who possesses offensive firepower, DeSean Miller and Mike Mallory will all see action in the backcourt. Newcomers Eric Long and Travis Descoteaux are being counted on to shore up the frontcourt.
“We have reloaded with a deep squad of talented players. All nine of our guys are potential college basketball players. Proof of that is the fact that Greg Senat has already committed to Wagner,’ said Vitale.
The Marianapolis-nine will have plenty of opportunity to showcase its talents. The schedule includes the likes of powerhouse Wilbraham & Monson, Cushing Academy, Worcester Academy, Notre Dame Prep in a game that’s the prelim to a Rhode Island College contest, St. Mark and St. Andrew. The schedule is also dotted with games against local rivals Putnam Science Academy (Jan. 14 @ 4:30 p.m. @ MPS), at Pomfret on Jan. 9 at 4 p.m. and home against Hyde – Woodstock on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.
The key to success as Vitale sees it is centered on the play of Senat, Ahearn and Long under the hoop and the guard depth of Miller, Edmonds and Mallory. The eventual determinant of this team will be posting victories and letting other Class AA teams know that the Golden Knights are back.