Tribs ready to get back on the court

When the Monroe Community College men’s basketball team takes the court Saturday afternoon, they will put a month-long layoff  behind them.

Hopefully, the Tribs can leave behind the road woes they faced prior to the semester break.

“I can’t wait,” said Tribune head coach Jerry Burns when asked about the 4:00 PM tipoff in the Herkimer Community College tournament.

“I wish we were starting at home,” Burns said. “We have beaten some pretty good teams there.”

The Tribs (8-6) are 6-0 when playing on East Henrietta Road with all six of their setbacks occurring away from the friendly confines.

“On the road you never now what we are going to get. Starting out [there] can bring back some of those demons.”

After starting 4-0, the Tribs fell twice at the TJ Memorial Classic at Lakeland, CC. Monroe followed that with a split at the Hagerstown CC tournament before taking it on the chin at the Monroe Mustangs Invitational in New Rochelle.

“We need to play better,” Burns said in a manner of fact tone. “We need to make a conscious effort on the defensive end every time down the floor. Then we need to take care of the basketball on the offensive end.”

Burns compared his team to the Pitt Panthers. “They started out quick, and now their play is lackluster. It’s like us.”

Led by Eddie Callender and Marcus Feagin the Tribs have outrebounded opponents by more than five per game.

“His whole game is predicated on all-out hustle,” Burns said of Feagin.” He makes it easier for us to score when he is active on the boards.”

When talking about areas of improvement Burns mentioned Francis Obumneme, Isaiah Jefferson and Mike Wilson.

“Francis has got to be a dominant force,” Burns explained. “He should get 15 points and eight rebounds a game.”

“Isaiah needs to play better, and he knows it.”

Andre Armstrong leads the Black and Gold with 14 ppg. The sophomore has a team-high 37 treys and is hitting 37 percent from behind the arc.

MCC swept all three of the tournaments played at home defeating Rockland CC and CCAC Allegheny to take the Kickoff Classic. One week later, the Tribs took their own tourney downing Cuyahoga CC and Sullivan CC. Monroe completed the sweep defeating Finger Lakes CC and Lakeland CC in the Pete Pavia Tournament.

After missing much of last semester with a broken hand, Jahvari Josiah returns to the lineup.  The 6-3 freshman guard logged 35 minutes during the CCAC Allegheny Tournament in Pittsburgh.

Depending upon Saturday’s outcomes, the Tribs with play either Mass Bay Community College or the host, Herkimer CC on Sunday.

Monroe returns to Monagan Court on Tuesday, January 24th when Alfred State comes to Rochester.

Mike Forrest, TJ McKiver and Chris Thompson all decided to not return to the team.