Coaches Corner
Hello! It is time for an update on all things Washington College MBB.
Our season closed in February and for those who follow the team, it was a very interesting year. In November and December we started hot, winning nearly every game, home and away. We came back from break playing very good basketball- losing to ‘shore' rival Salisbury on the road at the buzzer and edged by a very good Ursinus team after a having an early lead. After that, the setbacks continued- more buzzer beaters, close games, difficult finishes.
So, after all of that winning and then all that losing, what gives? More importantly, what did the team learn?
The game we love is much more process oriented than just outcomes. Of course, contests need to be won, but how that is done and the work that goes into it are the foundation to long term success. We are closing the gap in a conference of talented teams. Now we have have to take the next step by trusting our process goals: building culture, honing it with improvement by the returnees and bolstering it with the addition of a talented incoming group. Flock First, as we often say.
One theme that we emphasized this spring is humility. Humility is not a weakness and if understood and applied, it can be a superpower and push teams forward. We are all practicing humility: especially in identifying that we have things to learn and areas in which we can improve. This process happened daily as the Flock were back on the court competing and in the weight room with a real purpose, adding strength and building confidence.
To the summer…..where great teams are made.
Onward, Coach Begly
A fond farewell
The past three seasons, we have been extremely fortunate to have Chris King as our assistant coach. This spring brought a bittersweet moment as Coach King moved on to his next challenge as the lead assistant coach and recruiting director at D2/D3 Saint Anslem (NH).
Coach King was a mentor to all and helped the program grow and improve. A true marker of an excellent coach is the ability to teach and form relationships with every member of the team. Coach King did that year after year and left the Flock better than he found it. Thank you, Coach!
Spring Training
Let's check in with Max Portnoy on the Flock's spring training, goals and systems.
What did the team work on this spring?
The team worked on getting stronger and more explosive. We worked hard in the weight room and need to continue to.
Where did you see improvements?
This spring, I personally saw improvement in my strength and jump shooting. The team improved our chemistry with our 100 point games and lifts.
How can we have a great summer, collectively?
We need to stay in shape, compete in high level runs and be ready to take a step forward next season.
Alumni Assists
Kedrick Frink (24') keeps the dream alive... all the way in Guatemala.
Ked! Where are you playing currently? What brought you there?
What brought me to Guatemala is the opportunity to experience something different while doing what I love. Getting the chance to compete at a higher level makes the journey even more special.
What can you tell us about the pro game in Guatemala? How about living there?
The pace of the game is much slower and I feel more skill and passion is displayed. It makes the game more creative and free flowing. As an American player, one thing that stands out is how welcoming the culture is and how community based it is. People take alot of pride in where they are from and you can feel this support at the games.
What skills have you put to use from your time at Washington College?
Being at WAC really helped me grow as a leader, especailly when it comes to communication. Playing there, you learn how important is it to speak up and lead by example. That's something I have been able to carry with me here. As the captain of my team, while being in a new environment, those skills have transferred.