Men's Basketball Heads into 2013-14 Season with Deep Returning Core
Box Score DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Nov. 13, 2013) – The Mercy College men's basketball team heads into the 2012-2013 season with a lot of familiar faces, but still a steep learning curve as three returning regular starters are joined by three past starters who have missed time due to injury, two returning rotation players, two talented transfers and arguably the program's best crop of true freshman talent in recent years. Multi-year contributors Kirk Bailey (Freeport, N.Y. / St. Mary's) and Chaz Morrish (Douglaston, N.Y. / St. Mary's), along with point guard Nate Stitchell (Coventry, R.I. / Coventry) headline the returners from the 2012-2013 campaign. 
"Chaz and Kirk signed with us heading into my first season as head coach here at Mercy College, and it has been an honor and a pleasure to see them grow and mature over the years," Head Coach Adam Parmenter said. "Actually, that first class included LeBrandon Smith and Terrance Murchie as well, who have overcome injury and give us a lot of positives heading into the season. This group has been through a lot over the past few years, and I expect that the lessons learned and skills developed will serve us well heading into the season."
The Mavericks head into their third straight season without their leading scorer returning, as Second Team All-MET selection Joseph Pope finished his senior season ECC's scoring leader with 18.7 points per game.
"It seems like every year we have faced the question of where we will generate offense, but I think this season we have a significant number of options, talented guys who will step up and fill that void," Parmenter said. "I'm most excited about the improvement we should see on the defensive side of the ball, with the work that these guys have put in to be better teammates and defenders."
Frontcourt
The team will be leaning heavily on Bailey down low this year. The nightly double-double threat ranks third among returning rebound leaders from last season after averaging a healthy 8.0 boards per game – just one rebound fewer than the leading returner in the ECC – and a bump up from his 10.5 points per game would come as no surprise. Having played just 27.4 minutes per game last year, the increased workload should push the veteran even closer to the top of the conference's shortlist of premier big men.
The key piece in the puzzle of this year's team could be senior LeBrandon Smith (Jamaica, N.Y. / Archbishop Molloy). After missing all of last season due to injury, Smith's athleticism and versatility should be able to mimic what the team lost with the departure of Pope. Capable of playing either small or power forward, Smith will be looking to improve on his already-solid averages of 6.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in just 20.7 minutes on the court from two years ago.
"LeBrandon Smith at 100 percent is a legitimate threat on both ends of the floor," Parmenter said. "He is versatile, can make shots on all levels and can defend several positions, all while playing within the team's framework."
Although likely to go small with a three-guard lineup that sees Bailey playing a majority of his minutes at the 5 and Smith at the 4, if the Mavericks look to go with a more conventional lineup then senior Olajide Keshinro (Brooklyn, N.Y. / SUNY Cobleskill) will be an essential piece. Relied on primarily for some tough defensive minutes in the paint last year, the 6-8 big man could be poised to take a huge step forward after posting 2.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game with a .645 field goal percentage – numbers which average out to 11.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks over 30 minutes per game. 
Senior pivot man Jordan Lee (Englewood, N.J./Bergen CC) also returns after sitting out the 2012-2013 season due to injury. A healthy return for Lee, who averaged 5.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in just over 13 minutes per game in 2011-2012, will provide much-needed experience and depth up front.
Freshmen Jerry Crismond (Somerdale, N.J. / Sterling) and Devin Lawrence (Poughkeepsie, N.Y. / Poughkeepsie) will push for time at the 3 and 4 spots, bringing youthful energy, excitement and athleticism to the squad. Freshman Chris Cavalieri (Holbrook, N.Y. / St. Thomas More) – standing 6-10 – will challenge for time at the forward position as well in a critical developmental year for the young post prospect.
"I like the energy that the freshmen bring to the table," Parmenter said. "You can really see it in the eyes of the upperclassmen when they see these guys picking things up pretty quickly. We feel strongly that these guys will give us solid depth and will continue to grow into the next wave of front line players in the program. "
Backcourt
The Mavericks' real strength could lie in the backcourt tandem of Morrish and Stitchell. A combo guard who played most of his time at the point until last year, Morrish really came on late in the season as the full-time shooting guard, pouring in double-digit points in four of his final six games, over which he shot .523 from the field and an incredible .577 from beyond the arc. Stitchell burst onto the scene as one of the top rookies in the conference thanks to his penchant for finding open teammates (11 games with at least four assists) and smothering on-ball defense.
"In the East Coast Conference you have to have solid guard play in order to compete, and Chaz and Nate give us that unique combination of skill and experience that will give us a chance night in and night out," Parmenter said. "Their commitment to defense is really what defines them as leaders at the guard spot."
The two will have plenty of depth behind them as well, starting with senior P.J. Walters (Hempstead, N.Y. / St. Dominic's), who showed flashes of dominance in limited action last season. Long-range gunner Terrance Murchie (Franklin Square, N.Y. / H. Frank Carey) is also back for his junior season and will again split time between the 2 and 3 as the team's three-point threat. Senior Trifton Rose (Yonkers, N.Y. / Gorton), junior transfer Jordan Lessane (Mount Vernon, N.Y. / Mount Vernon) and Sophomore transfer Dan Pierrot (New York, N.Y. / St. Athony's) will try to impress as they vie for time in the crowded backcourt.
"It wouldn't be surprising to see any number of 6 or 7 different guys lead us in scoring on a given night, and I could also see us playing a few different types of lineups, with a lot of flexibility in terms of who is on the floor against certain opposing styles," Parmenter said. "Our depth at the guard will allow us to play a pressure style that we favor, and I know has become a staple to our home crowds. We are looking forward to it getting loud in the Mercy Gym as our fans – some of the best in the ECC – look forward to seeing another exciting season of Mavericks Basketball!"
The Mavericks tipped off the 2013-14 season on Friday, Nov. 8 at Nyack College and continue the season on the road at Caldwell College on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The Mavericks' home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7pm. All home games are available online via Live stats and video, and be sure to follow @MercyMavericks on twitter as well for live in-game updates.
