Seniors take spotlight despite loss against Gettsyburg

A four month long collegiate basketball season has its fair share of peaks and valleys. For the Muhlenberg men’s basketball team, one of their finer moments came on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Hall, despite a rather lopsided loss to Gettysburg College. Saturday’s contest marked the Mules’ final home game of the season, which meant that the pregame festivities were held to honor the team’s three graduating seniors: Jon Schreer ‘17, John Hunter ‘17 and Bran- don LaRose ‘17.

Schreer, who was the leading scorer with 14 points in the 46-64 loss, entered the game with a optimistic mindset. “We’re just taking it game by game,” said Schreer. “We know we’re in a tough spot with two games out, but we’re still in contention and we’re not going to give in. The seniors are ready for this game and looking forward to it. Every day we come prepared to practice, ready to work hard. We have to focus on us and make sure we dictate the game to our favor.”

As team captain, Schreer’s overwhelming positivity is a crucial factor that the rest of the team has thrived off of all season.

Hunter scored just two points, but regardless of his performance on the court, it was one of his most unforgettable games he has ever partaken in as a Mule. “It was a memorable senior night,” said Hunter. “Although we didn’t get the outcome we wanted it was great to go to battle one last time at the Mecca. It was also a special game for me to have my whole family together up here for the first time.”

The final senior and captain on the team, Brandon LaRose, was also upset with his play in the loss, but just like Hunter, he was radiant about the experience of being honored as a senior. “I definitely didn’t have my greatest game but it was still great to be out on the court with all of my friends and family there to support my last game in Memorial Hall,” said LaRose. “A surreal and proud moment to round off my career in that gym. I’ve put countless hours of work in up and down that court so seeing it come to a close and being able to look back at my body of work over these last four years was a great moment.”

Senior day has become one of the most highly anticipated games on the calendar every season for each Muhlenberg athletics team, but obviously players can only have one senior day in their career. However, the coaching staff has a different perspective, since they return year after year without any graduation date looming. For head coach Scott McClary, who has held that position since 2009, this day has always been an extremely emotional one. Following the game, McClary was filled with pride.

“Watching the three seniors go through senior day brought a lot of emotions for me,” said MClary. “First, you realize just how fast time flies by, as I remember all three of their arrivals to Muhlenberg. Mostly, I am just so proud to have been their coach and feel so fortunate to have had the privilege to spend so much time with them over the past four years. They have each grown so much and I am so extremely proud of them.”

As for the game itself, McClary was able to look past the disappointing final score and find the good in the situation. Of course no team enjoys losing, especially against a conference rival, but one thing McClary has taught his players during his time at Muhlenberg is that there is always something to be learned from whatever gets thrown in one’s way. “We are all disappointed in the outcome of Saturday’s game,” said McClary after the game, “but every experience in our lives provides opportunity. This is an opportunity for us to grow and learn just how hard you need to compete every second you have on the floor.” After hearing similar sentiments echoed by the three team captains, it is easy to understand why this team has developed such good chemistry over the last few seasons, especially the current one.

The final game of the season on the Mules home court does not signify the end of their season just yet. They have one remaining game at McDaniel, the opposing team’s venue. Even though the team’s playoff chances are not looking good, as they sit sixth in the Centennial Conference standings, McClary will use the last games as an opportunity to continue to learn and grow as a cohesive unit.

“Our expectations for the final two games [Ursinus and McDaniel],” said McClary, “will remain as they have been for every single game this season: prepare to the very best of our ability, compete to win the game, and appreciate how lucky we are to represent Muhlenberg in a college basketball game!”

Photos courtesy of Kaitlin Errickson