YSCC Elite 8 Men's Basketball Final Four Preview

(YSCC) – As expected, we weren't shorted any excitement from the men's basketball quarterfinal matchups over the weekend. With the stakes increasing, let's look back at those quarterfinal game-winners and see what teams are focusing on heading into their semifinal matchups this week.

The first matchup of the week for the men is between the top-seeded Southern Maine Community College Seawolves against the 4th seeded Central Maine Community College Mustangs. Coach Matt Richards and the Seawolves were awarded a bye week as the top seed in the conference, and Richards notes that "the bye week forced the coaching staff to look at how to run practice effectively." Coach Richards stressed the need to "keep players fresh" and be creative. Heading into Tuesday's game against the Mustangs, Coach Richards says, "the key for us will be to contain the glass and force contested shots." 

The Mustangs quarterfinal victory was a close one, as the Mustangs trailed at the half to win the game 73-69. Corey David led the Mustangs with 25 PTS in his 38 minutes on the court, and Coach Dave Goneya notes having to adjust after losing "one of the conference's top players in Josh Chery." Coach Goneya also exclaims that at this point in the season, "it's all about hitting shots." Facing the Seawolves, Goneya writes that they have "great chemistry" and "they are a tough team to beat." Coach Goneya reflects that the Seawolves have beaten his Mustangs twice this season but that his team's "goal is to compete, outwork them" and "must hit [their] shots!!!" 

The second men's semifinal matchup will feature the 2nd seeded NHTI's Lynx against the 6th seeded Great Bay Community College Herons. The Lynx are entering the semifinals after a dominant quarterfinals victory match, with significant contributions from Emmortal Johnson and Scott Spann each putting in 19 PTS, and Saeer Miller with 18 PTS. Lynx Coach Paul Hogan said that his team has to "continue to get healthy" as they head into their matchup against the Herons. Coach Hogan credits the Herons for playing "extremely hard and Coach Alex Burt has done a fabulous job preparing his team all season." Coach Hogan says that to secure a win for the Lynx, his team has "to play a complete game."

Coach Burt's Herons pulled off a quarterfinal upset on Paul Smith's home court, and he couldn't be more pleased with his team. Bryce Gibson posted 21 PTS for his team in just 20 minutes of court time, and starters Mark Frost and Shneider Vil contributed 15 PTS And 14 PTS, respectively. Coach Burt reflects that their Bobcats opponent "is extremely talented" and that his team "had to be dialed in" to secure that win. Also, from Coach Burt, it was the "best-collaborated effort we've seen all year from our group," and it couldn't have come at a better time for the Herons. Heading into the semifinals against the 2nd seeded Lynx, Coach Burt first notes the great relationship with NHTI Coach Paul Hogan, saying, "I wouldn't want it any other way." Coach Burt made it a point that this is the Herons' first-ever conference semifinals appearance and it'll be against "a dear friend." Coach Burt didn't want to give away his game plan too much, but emphasized that his team needs to "build on the cohesion" they played with during their quarterfinal game. Keep "riding the wave [and] riding the momentum" in facing a continuously nationally ranked program in the Lynx. 

Tuesday, 2/22

Central Maine CC @ Southern Maine CC 7pm

Wednesday, 2/23

Great Bay CC @ NHTI 7pm - GAME LINK

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Jordyn Kamis, YSCC Intern