By Paul Casey Gotham
(BUFFALO, N.Y.) Outside the Koessler Athletic Center winds whip out of the north. A bitter reminder of the winter months ahead. On this final Saturday of October, one might expect a doldrums of sorts inside. Two weeks removed from the excitement created by the first day of practice and almost two weeks prior to the first game of the season could leave a team without focus.
Instead, the gymnasium at 1833 Main Street is filled with a flurry of activity – the squeak of sneakers on hardwood. Leather slipping through twine. The bounce of balls echoing off the walls.
In one corner of the gym, associate head coach Rob Norris works with Julius Coles, Alshwan Hymes and Eric Kindler. At another basket, assistant Tim Paul guides David Santiago and Reggie Groves as the sophomores work on dribbling over ball screens. At the far end of the gym, assistant Derrick Worrels runs Elton Frazier, Rokas Gricius, Greg Logins and Tomas Vaquez-Simmons through post work.
Presiding over all the activity is head coach, Tom Parrotta. The fifth-year coach takes nothing for granted as he goes from station to station correcting and encouraging.
As time expires on the scoreboard clock, all in the gym move as one to the next order of business – a shooting drill. Notes on the practice plan provide a clear objective for the next ten minutes: Machine Gun!
One shooter, two balls and two rebounders at each basket generates a rapid pace. With each movement of the ball, players call out the name of the teammate who is to receive a pass.
“Take ’em and make ’em,” implores Parrotta. “I am looking for feet set.”
It takes little time to realize that the accelerated pace simulates game speed.
“You’re shooting is getting better,” continues Parotta. “That’s the result of your work.”
This accelerated pace combined with encouragement and cooperation tells the tale of a basketball program that has established its own standard.
Five years ago, Parrotta took the helm and put into place an expectation that came to fruition last May when Frank Turner crossed the stage with a master’s degree. Parrotta’s plan is simple. Come to Canisius and get a bachelor’s degree in three years and leave school after four years with an advanced degree.
Coles, Frazier, Robert Goldsberry, Logins and Vazquez-Simmons all completed their four-year degrees last spring. The five seniors are in line to get their master’s by the end of the next semester.
“That’s part of the recruiting,” said Coles a native of Harlem, New York. “I was unsure of it at first. Frank’s the first guy to do it. Seeing him do it shows it can be done.”
As the players take stock in their own education, ownership of the team becomes a natural extension.
Parrotta and his staff nurture an environment where the players are responsible for instruction.
“Come in and ask questions,” states Parrotta. “Write the questions on the board, and (pointing to his seniors) ask him. Ask him. Ask him.”
The players readily accept the role.
While working on their half-court set versus a 1-3-1, Santiago catches a pass in ball reversal and dribbles into the defense. Parrotta blows the whistle and defers to Vazquez-Simmons who patiently corrects his younger teammate.
Parrotta demands that his younger players learn from the veterans. The Fordham graduate raises his voice in anger just one time during the two and a half-hour session when Logins attempts to offer his insights to Kindler during the half-court defensive shell drill.
“You need to put your head up and look him in the eye. Take his experience and let it sink in. Take that out here,” says Parrotta pointing to the court. “So you’re not feeling sorry for yourself.”
But the players do not need their coach to intervene.
Coaches review the team’s offense versus a full-court press. Meanwhile, Logins checks in with Chris Manhertz. The freshman is on the sideline with a boot on his injured right foot. Logins stands next to the 6’6″ native of the Bronx and makes sure he understands his role.
With Parrotta leading the way, pride has returned to the Canisius Golden Giffins men’s basketball program, and the alumni have taken notice.
“He’s doing it the right way,” commented former Buffalo mayor and Canisius standout, Tony Masiello. “He’s building a foundation for continued success. We want to be consistent on the court and in the classroom. He’s preparing them for life.”
Consistency on the court becomes a reality on November 12th when rival St. Bonaventure comes to the KAC.
“I’m excited,” said Coles nodding with approval over the prospect of the Bonnies coming to Canisius for his senior season. “13 days away. I’ve been telling everybody.”
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