MIA Basketball Looking for First Win

When rookie head coach Eric Chesser took on the challenge of coaching the Marco Island Academy boys basketball team, he knew the wins were going to be hard to come by. But on Thursday, December 11, in the Rays’ home gym, it looked like Chesser’s charges just might pull the upset. As late as 1:41 in the third period, the Rays held a 43-42 lead over Seacrest. But as the game wore on, Seacrest was able to wrestle away a 55-45 decision over the winless Rays.

"I was really proud of the effort the guys gave tonight,” Chesser said after the game. "It was our home opener. It was rescheduled earlier in the week, and this game was actually scheduled for tomorrow night. We had to adjust our practice plan and prep for a really good Seacrest team. I was really proud of the way the boys responded."

Chesser liked the way the Rays battled through the third quarter when the teams exchanged the lead several times.

“We were right there with them,” he said. “It was much closer than a ten point game. They missed some free throws. If we just could have connected on offense on our end at the end of the game there we could have won the game."

Chesser feels his Rays, 0-8 on the season, are improving.

"Every day we're improving,” Chesser said. "I keep telling them, you've got to keep your heads up. Stay positive. We've got to keep our spacing out there. Keep moving the basketball. I thought we did a great job of that for about three and a half quarters. Cade Martin played a great game - came up real hot in the first half, shooting those threes. And Veleon Nazarko played a heck of a game. He really played a great game. Just great. You know, it was a great step in the right direction for our team. It's still early in the season, and we're looking forward to our next games."

Martin (12) and Nazarko (17) combined for 29 of the Rays’ 45 points. Guard Matt Morrison scored all eight of his points the first half. The Rays scored only two points in the fourth quarter.

"I try to just instill confidence,” Chesser said. "I tell them they've got to have a short-term memory. Don't worry. You know I'm not going to take you out for missing a shot. I preach defense, we’ve got to stop them. I thought we had a good game plan."

Chesser said there’s a lesson to be learned from the team’s fourth quarter collapse, after playing so well the first three quarters.

"They were believing,” Chesser said of the team’s early effort. “We have to have that same energy for all four quarters. Just needed to have some shots fall our way.”

Seacrest (3-4), a solid local program, has played a tough schedule early.

"They've been playing some really good schools this year,” Chesser said. “Their record doesn't show how good of a team they are. They're well coached, they're disciplined, they have good guard play. I thought we really hung in there, and we gave them a test. I told the guys before the game, we want to be physical and come out with a lot of energy. And, you know, I thought we did that for most of the game.”

The Rays return home on Monday, January 5, when they take on Donahue Catholic.