After a successful 2015-16 season in which the team finished 24-8, the Caravan basketball team is in rebuilding mode with a new coaching staff and several new players.

After dropping its first five contests, the team finally broke into the win column with an exciting 57-56 overtime victory against the St. Laurence Vikings.

New head coach Phil Segroves knows that the team is capable of turning around its early losing record. He believes that when the team gels, it has a great chance of winning.

For now, Segroves loves how hard his team plays. “I guess you could say we have a work horse mentality from the tip-off.” He also likes to focus on the basics and discipline, believing that will win games.

Segroves, who likes to play a fast-tempo, points out that “we have great athletes at Carmel.” But he also recognizes that even great athletes need to learn how to manage game situations, like rebounding from a call that goes the other way.

One of those great athletes is senior Phazione McClurge, who joined the team late after a grueling football season which concluded with the Prep Bowl. He knows the team isn’t the best in Mount Camel history, but is optimistic about the team’s chances to improve over the season.

“We have a good team, and if we put in the work I know we’ll be proud of ourselves.”

Junior Gerald Edeh also believes that the season can quickly turn around, and even has a suggestion for his rookie coach:  “Just start me,”  he joked.  But then he added in all seriousness that the way to improve as a team is “to play better team defense.”

Segroves feels humbled to be a head coach at Mount Carmel, and hopes to do more than just coach the team on the court.

“When I was in high school I had great coaches who were like second fathers to me. They taught me more lessons than how to throw a football or shoot a basketball.”