Maturity and Talent Clinch First Win for P-P Men's Basketball
By Lauren Sauter
Sports Associate

For my last and final TSL article, I once again have the distinct honor of bringing you the finest in men’s sports. And when I say “fine,” all you straight ladies and gay men should understand that I don’t mean the game so much as the boys playing the game. Early in the season, men’s basketball has a solid record of 3-1 coming off of the weekend-long David Wells Classic tournament, held here in Claremont. Initially ranked 4th in SCIAC, 21 games and an entire season leave the men multiple opportunities to move up in the rankings as the winter season gets underway.

“As a team, we’re older and more mature this year,” remarked Kamau Norman-Terrance ’05. “We’ve been playing together longer, and I think all our hard work is paying off.” Indeed, the team has been spending time together on and off the court, building a solid dynamic crucial to their success. Although the team lost Jason Howie, a valuable senior who was was named All-SCIAC Second Team all-SCIAC last year, plenty of talented juniors and seniors have compensated and then some for the absence of their graduated teammate.

The Wells Classic last weekend definitely presented some challenges. Though the men lost 71-75 in double overtime against Hamilton College, they achieved a tidy victory of 84-65 over the United States Merchant Marine Academy. With P-P up by 7 at halftime, it was no surprise when they pulled away in the second half. “We forced a lot of turnovers and managed to make some easy baskets,” commented Andrew Grant ’04. “We made our free throws and didn’t let them back in the game.”

Coached by Charles Katsiaficas, or Coach “Kat” as he is affectionately called by his team, P-P has emphasized a suffocating defense and outstanding rebounding. “We’re strengthening defense and allowing the rest of the game to flow from that,” said Grant.

Men’s Basketball is way more popular than any other sport on campus during the long winter months, the fans are loyal and avid. The league looks good from top to bottom this season, and the team expects to do well as they continue putting in long workouts. Excited fan Aaron Carter ’04 said, “I am not going to miss a home game.”