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 2007-2008 SEASON PREVIEW The expectations are off the charts for the 2007-2008 Wolverines. With Bridgton Academy basketball teams that have been the historic winners of three consecutive NEPSAC championships, the North Bridgton community is getting just a little used to resounding success on the basketball court. Coach Whit Lesure (11th year), Associate Al Lewis (9th year), and Assistants Tony Wright (4th year) and Bob Holden (2nd year) have welcomed an extremely hard working group of prospective players for the season ahead. "I fully understand the situation we find ourselves in," commented Lesure, referring to the fact that it had been nearly 30 years since anyone had won three NEPSAC titles; Dee Rowe (Worcester Academy and UCONN) won four straight from 1964-1968 before losing to Ernie D. (DeGrigorio)'s St. Thomas More team coached by Nick Marcarchuck. "Our school is very excited about our 200th year anniversary celebration. Maybe our team can bring its own cake to the party," Lesure cracked. "Practically speaking, this team has to learn many of the same lessons our past teams did with regard to the level of play in our league, the work involved, and the breaks you need to create in order to win consistently?In our fall pick-up games, the guys are simply adjusting to playing with other good players." Still too early to ink a final roster, BA will again sport a squad made up of talented players from across the country. Guards Hamid Ford (Los Angeles, CA), Cervante Burrell (Sacramento, CA), and Elliot (EJ) Jones (Hazelcrest, IL) will likely lead the backcourt. Wings Cardell McFarland (Evansville, IN), Stacy Waters (Waterford, MI), Isiah Wallace (Springfield, MA), Joe Kelley (Merrillville, IN), and Daeshawn McMorrin (Naugatuck, CT) headline the perimeter. Big Men James Marcellus (Dorchester, MA), Dawda Njie (Gambia), Zach Nelson (Sacramento, CA), and Bakary Konate (Bamako, Mali) should provide the punch inside. Coach Lesure is quick to praise a supportive administrative team and the loyalty of his staff to the extraordinary past accomplishments. " I don't want to start playing the 'name game,' but there are individuals within this community that have had a lot to do with some of the recognition our teams and myself personally have received?Anita Hatch is one that comes to mind. Bob Katz is another," he said. "We're very fortunate," says Lesure, in his Pete Carroll-like enthusiasm. "I think every NEPSAC coach would like to have a chance to deal with this. I'd rather have these expectations than the alternative. Who doesn't enjoy success?" Some might wonder if all the success has made the Wolverines soft, or the head coach a little full of himself, at least. "That's possible," Lesure quipped, and added emphatically," but I've got great assistants. We try to keep each other honest." The "Fightin' Wolverines" will need all the motivation they can muster as they once again take on a 30 game schedule loaded with quality opponents from prep schools throughout the country. Some of the best teams will visit North Bridgton this winter for contests at the Wolverdome in Memorial Gymnasium that typically "wake the echoes" for all in attendance. If the challenges lying ahead are unusually daunting, Lesure isn't buying it. "We're always trying to pitch the perfect game. It doesn't happen often. I thought we played close to perfect in last year's national prep school semi-final against Hargrave (BA was victorious in double-overtime) until I watched the tape of our defense. If you really want to know what any season is going to be like, read Jonathan Mile's account of the Paris-Dakar Motor Rally," Lesure offered. "Sure, things have gone our way? Maybe the wind has been behind our backs, but so what? See, we ain't giving it away." It sounds like the Wolverines are reading the history (contemporary) of the Trojans (USC): they just might be trying to win forever. |