Tag: Houghton Basketball

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Sports

Athlete Profile: Mark O’Brien

If there are two things that seem to be unanimously attributed to senior Mark O’Brien, it’s his athletic dedication and the strength of his character, both of which are apparent on the basketball court.

Courtesy of athletics.houghton.edu
Courtesy of athletics.houghton.edu

Teammate Michael Ball commended O’Brien’s persistence and work ethic. “Mark is always one of the first guys in the gym and one of the last to leave the gym. He has impressed me with the amount of things he has on his plate and how he handles the many different things that he is involved with here on campus,” said Ball.

Teammate Seth Shay added, “For the past four years, Mark has been a go-to player for the men’s basketball team and has set a very good example for the younger guys. Houghton College will miss his high level of play and his incredible leadership skills. I couldn’t have asked for a better teammate, and a better friend.”

Coach Drew Hannan agreed with Ball and Shay’s appraisals and added to Mark’s list of qualities “leader” and “competitor.” “The hope is with any player you’ll see development in athletic skill,” said Hannan, “but Mark really took ownership of the program and what we are trying to accomplish. He stepped into a leadership role with the guys looking to him for direction and I think that has really helped him blossom as a player, being at that level on a daily basis.”

Hannan also commented that Mark’s character has been noticed by people who do not practice with him. “Mark is always one of the first guys to step up and volunteer when someone needs something done,” whether that be service related or manual labor, said Hannan. “His effect and personality go beyond himself” in a positive and inspiring way that Hannan best described as “infectious.”

“Playing on the team for four years has helped me grow a lot and gain perspective both on life and athletics,” said O’Brien. “It’s taught me to compete, be a good teammate, be a good friend and work hard every day, even if I sense things aren’t going the way I want them to. It’s really grown me up.”

Though O’Brien admits to occasional obstacles in motivation, leadership, and performance, he has demonstrated his ability to “work through adversity” and to “really care” enough to continually expend himself to his full potential for the good of the team.

O’Brien said that what he has enjoyed most about college basketball is his teammates. “They’re my buddies, my best friends, they’re hilarious, and I love hanging out with them outside of practice,” said O’Brien. “Doing what we do isn’t easy and a lot is demanded of us, but I’m proud of my teammates and wouldn’t trade them for anything. It takes strong people to keep fighting.”

After he graduates, O’Brien said he will miss the rest of his team as well as the competition and “just being around basketball.” Although O’Brien’s main postgraduate pursuit is business, he hopes to coach some day.

“I hope to see him do big things,” said Hannan. “He’s been nothing but successful since he came to Houghton and there’s no reason to expect anything different in the future.” Hannan described the best way to quantify O’Brien by quoting a man in charge of parking whom O’Brien volunteered to assist. “He’s one of the best.”

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News

Purple and Gold Basketball Spirit

Courtesy of Kathryn Hornibrook
Courtesy of Kathryn Hornibrook

If you weren’t among the dual colored throng of fans crowding the Nielsen bleachers last Tuesday night for the women’s and men’s Purple and Gold week games, you missed out on a night of collective school spirit, CAB prizes, a chance to show off a snazzy gold shirt, and some pretty entertaining basketball.

Although the men ultimately lost to St John Fisher with a final score of 75-62, head coach Drew Hannan said that “the game came down to the last minute” and that he’s optimistic for the success of the team’s near future, despite setbacks.

“We have struggled all year to put together a forty minute team effort, but of late we have begun doing that and putting ourselves in position to beat some of the best teams in the conference (Nazareth, Ithaca, St. John Fisher, etc.),” said Hannan. “The last five games have been by far our best games all year and, as a coach, all I can ask is that our guys continue to work and continue to get better.”

Although Hannan said the team needs to hone their ability to “make plays late in a game, whether it be executing on offense or getting stops on defense,” he’s exceedingly proud of their “resilience and perseverance.”

“The sheer amount and types of adversity we have faced this year would cause most people to lose their edge, their motivation,” said Hannan, “but not these guys, which is our biggest asset.”  Hannan attributes the team’s positivity and determination not only to the character of individual players and the moral of the group but also to the enthusiasm of fans.

“The fans of late have been the best, most supportive group since my time here,” said Hannan. “Their support during games and encouragement away from them is what is helping to keep these guys going through this tough stretch.”

Hannan added that the fans were particularly uplifting. They were “amazing and into the game,”

Courtesy of Kathryn Hornibrook
Courtesy of Kathryn Hornibrook

said Hannan. “The effect is obvious if you just read some of the posts our players made after the game. They were all about how great the fans were and how much the guys love, appreciate, and need it.”

Team member Seth Shay agreed with Hannan’s appraisal of the spectators. “Our fans were extremely involved and supportive. This kind of home court support is crucial in close games and I truly believed it affected the way we played,” said Shay. He added “ The school spirit here at Houghton College is as good as I have ever seen it in my 4 years. I’m proud to be a Highlander when I look to the stands and see a mass crowd of purple and gold. As a team, we want to thank all of you for your support!”

The women also lost their game to St. John Fisher with a final score of 70-80, but senior team-member Michelle Persons said that the Houghton team rallied during the second half. “The second half was much better offensively and defensively,” said Persons. “We talked at half-time about communicating better on defense, which in turn would help our offense flow better as we made it a team effort.”

Persons said that the accuracy of the Fisher player’s foul shots hurt the Houghton team and that if the women “had played a better first half, the outcome definitely would have been different… The team stepped up the intensity the second half immensely, we just couldn’t close the gap.”
Several players are currently recovering from injuries which have created additional obstacles for the team, and Persons said, “They bring a lot to the team and we would be very glad to have them back.”

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Sports

Athlete Profile: Kristen Moose

art&sports_athleteJunior captain Kristen Moose came to Houghton from Swain, New York to play basketball. Although she has had to sit out the past couple games due to illness, Moose continues to lead the women’s team.

“Moose is a quiet leader, she is not vocal, but she leads in her actions and her work ethic. Her teammates catch on to that and it motivates them to work hard too,” said Coach Alicia Mucher, “She is definitely an asset to a team and in a lot of ways she is a coach’s dream to have. Very coachable, listens, right now we just wish she were healthy.”

“I think her sickness has affected our team, but I think it has caused Moose to reflect on her role on our team more,” said freshman teammate Maggie Reynolds.Moose has been playing basketball since she was a little girl. She began playing with her dad, starting organized competition in elementary school. She competed in soccer and softball as well, but basketball won out as the more favored sport.

“Sometimes it’s probably a bad habit, but I tend to put basketball ahead of school. It probably isn’t the right thing,” Moose said, “But generally it is pretty easy to balance school with basketball.”
Moose is studying both physical education and health at Houghton. She aspires to be either a teacher or coach post-graduation. Her teammates and coach foresee her excelling in this field.
“Moose is definitely one of the hardest workers I have ever coached, if not the hardest worker. She has worked so much and put so much time into her individual development that she is really starting to reap some of those benefits,” said Mucher, “There is no question she is an outstanding basketball player.”

Last year, Moose received player of the year in the American Mideast Conference. This year, she leads the Empire 8 in points per game, averaging at 17. She leads the team in turnovers, field goals, three-pointers, assists, and free throws. She has earned player of the week twice this season as well.

“Moose is a very hard worker and that’s her style of play,” said Reynolds, “She does a good job pushing our team to excellence.”

“I just always want to be the best that I can be. I don’t ever want to look back and regret it,” said Moose, “The better I do individually, the more I can help the team out.”