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NOVEMBER 17, 2005 - Page 10 COMMENTARY McDaniel Basketball is Thriving on all Fronts Men Look to Change Recent History With New Philosophy, New Coach Rutland are the co-captains of two tearv-s. Often, the ROB GOEKE the team and bring toughness women's game would be CO-EDITOR and experience that the team vibrant and intense with the Believe isn't a word to the will need throughout the sea- Terror Squad jumping up and McDaniel men's basketball son.. down in the stands. The men's team. It's a belief. "There is no one in the game, however, would be It's a motto, a philosophy, Centennial Conference that is lethargic and quiet, a depress- and a change ill psyche for a tougher than those two guys," ingly muted atmosphere team much maligned and said Flynn. "They realize that made even more silent by the with a history filled with futil- this is their last season and team's performance. ity. But if new Head Coach they are leading by example The new coach wants no CHRIS RUTLAND Bob Flynn and the 2005-06 and they are making everyone more of this somber mood. men's basketball team has work as hard as they do." Flynn wants McDaniel stu- Target is Squarely on anything to do with it, history up-tempo, energetic pace with dents to have December 3 cir- The team's style will be an will become just that: history. cled on their calendar. On that "We will be the hardest Women's B-Ball Team working team III the little room for breath and lots day at 2:00, in the Terror will of room for points. welcome Ursin us, the But if early indications are Centennial Conference," said "No one will out-hustle us," defending Centennial ROB GOEKE accurate, the team chemistry Flynn. "We will play the game said Plynn. "Our fans can Conference champion and a CO"EDITOR with tremendous enthusiasm expect that." team currently ranked sixth in is maintaining and gaining The target is big. It's a bulls- "strength. and playa style that our fans Flynn has high expectations the nation. eye, located dead center on "Everyone is stepping up so will enjoy watching." for the team and for what they "I want all of our students the uniform, right under the far," said junior guard. Katy Believe is the team's slogan can accomplish. He also has to be at that game," said word "Mcfranlel" and the ten Powell. "We have leaders at and its imprinted in white at seen the way the women's Flynn. "That is our first big other teams are getting ready every position," the bottom of the team's green team has formed a rabid fan test and Iask all students to be to take aim. The junior class has never practice shorts. It is part of base and he wishes to form the there for us." After two straight titles, has a season that didn't end in Flynn's effort to change the same for the team. For the McDaniel men's there is no question that the the NCAA tournament. Thus, program around from the 5-20 "I want players believing basketball team, the goal for McDaniel women's basketball the desire to succeed this year record the team suffered that we can win every single the 2005-06 season is not a team has reached the pinnacle borders on necessity. through last year. game," said Flynn, "and I number of wins, but a clear philosophy and a step in the of the Centennial Conference. "We feel a responsibility to "Changing your coach want the student body to rally Now the challenge is to stay continue winning," said means you change the pro- around us like they have with witming direction. After all, you can'tc1imb the there while knowing that Powell. "We want to do all gram," said senior guard Mike the women's team." everyone else is looking to that we can to maintain the Dipiero. "There is an empha- In recent times, Saturday mountain unless you believe. knock them from the pedestal. legacy of the program. sis on team this year." basketball doubleheaders at "We face a formidable chal- Everyone knows that nothing- Dipiero and senior Chris Gill Gym have been a tale o£ lenge to stay at the top and will be given to us." continue to win," said Head Though the junior class is Coach Becky Martin. ascending quickly, the team But intimidated is the leaders are undoubtedly the Moon Pub & Grill antithesis of how the team team's two seniors, Costa and feels as it heads into the 2005- guard Sara Franz. 06 season. With the gradua- "There is always pressure to tion of four seniors and the keep winning," said Costa. addition of five freshmen, the "But we're very comfortable face of the team may seem dif- with each other and we feel ferent, but the philosophy is like we can succeed." still the same. Thus far the coaching style "[The team] has one com- has had to change since the mon goal we're working freshmen must learn the toward," said senior forward offense. Kristy Costa, "and that is to "We have to take a more keep up the winning tradi- tactical approach because so tion.' many players have to learn Thus far, the team dynamic our style and mesh with the is different from last year with team," said Martin. "We're so many new faces. Some of spending a lot more time the team's success may teaching regarding our strate- depend upon how quickly the gy." freshmen are Integrated into The juniors are taking part the team and how the team's in the integration of new play- massive (6 deep) junior class ers as well. Constructive criti- can soar to leadership roles. cism and supporting remarks "Our goal is to make it to are the only sounds other than 'the conference playoffs and bouncing balls and sneaker three-peat," said Martin, "and squeaks that cascade off the this all depends upon how our walls of the Gill Center gym junior class grows and brings during practice. the freshman along with "rThe upperclassmen] are them." very vocal," said freshman For the past two years, the guard Jamie Morningstar. team has succeeded because it "But they are never mean. has embodied the word Everyone looks out for each "team" in every sense. In other." order to preserve the success, So unity, togetherness 'and much the same must be true teamwork are all monikers for this year. the 2005-06 women's basket- "Our freshmen won't be ball team, but a game hasn't able to contribute without been played yet and the road help from our upperclass- ahead is long. 410-526-5565 men," said Martin, Nand the Just don't ever count this team won't win without lead- team out. They're profession- fu Ilmoonpubandgri ll.com ership from our upperclass- als at proving people wrong. men."