[1]Lancer guard Pat Kalala powers past two Centennial players. Photo by Taylor Renkema.
By: John Boldrick
Sunday Afternoon is a quiet time at Loyalist College for the most part, except for the gym. It’s filled with members of the Lancers men’s basketball team.
The team leader is Patrick Kalala, a third year guard for the Lancers. He is the first man warming up, shooting jump shots, taking lay-ups and even incorporating a few shots with his back to the basket, just for kicks.
Kalala starts the practice early, although he isn’t the only one on his team to do so on most days.
“I love playing basketball with those guys, we go to the gym, whenever you want to go for extra shots, those guys are always going to go. If it’s not one guy, it’s another,” he said.
All the extra practices may soon pay off. The Lancers dropped a game 91-71 to the Seneca Sting on Friday, and while losing by 20 points hurt, the Lancers don’t expect to make a habit of it.
With a mix of returning veterans and talented rookies, the Lancers look to improve on last year’s 7-13 record. This is certainly a different team than last year’s squad.
“This year we’re that much deeper, we’re that much more athletic, we’re that much more skilled, all around everything is that much better than last year”
Richard Whitfield, in his second season as head coach, credits his first year players with helping the team reach a .500 record through the first four games.
“Most of the rookies that we’ve brought in we’re some of the top players on their high school or club team that they could do it, it’s a surprise that they are doing it this early,” he said.
One player is Cameron James-Hughes, a 6’10 forward. While Hughes transition to college ball has had its ups and downs, he has been showing signs of improvement.
“He’s coming a long way and he knows it’s a building process and he will be a force in this league,” said Whitfield.
Praise extends beyond his coach, as teammates have also taken notice of Hughes.
“I think he’s the biggest key to our team” said Kalala, “The way he is built- you don’t run into guys like that every day. We have something in the league that everyone wants and now we have to maximize the potential out of it.”
Hughes isn’t the only key to the team’s success. Kalala is quick to point to another teammate’s strong play, one that he may not have expected coming into this season.
“Jordan Marlow. He’s definitely better on defense than I thought he’d be and on offense he’s streaky but for the most part he’s been pretty consistence throughout the whole year,” he said.
Coach Whitfield has his own idea as to who has stepped up this season, although his choice isn’t a surprise.
“Our leader, Patrick Kalala, he’s really stepped up but he hasn’t because he’s always been capable of it, he’s just doing the right things all the time,” said Whitfield.
Exceptional play isn’t the only reasons for the teams play, as Kalala said there is as much importance of practice in building a competitive team.
“Every day, bring your hard hat. You know that everyday when we practice it’s always going to be super hard and as long as we keep each other accountable, the sky is the limit,” said Kalala.
Whitfield stresses the importance of being mentally, as well as physically strong.
“Our guys just have to be mentally prepared for everything and that includes practice and games and make sure they’re taking care of their stuff off the court as far as school and being ready to practice and coming hard every night,” said Whitfield.
The season is still young. With regular season games left, the Lancers still have room to grow. Whitfield still has some lessons to teach his young team.
“They don’t know how to close out tight games, they don’t know how to put the foot on somebody’s throat and dominate a game. So, it’s a struggle teaching these guys how to win,” he said, “Basketball wise they’re talented, it’s just the mental side of things and knowing how to win.”
While it’s anyone’s guess as to how the season will end for the Lancers, Kalala has a message for fans of the team and opposing players.
“This year, I don’t think I’ve heard too many negative things but I really believe that our team is not going be a joke to play with,” he said.