CMS Men's Basketball Season In Review (2014-15)
CMS WINS AT NCAA TOURNEY
ALSO CAPTURES 7TH SCIAC TITLE IN LAST 10 YEARS!
Written by Mike Haas CMC '79
Dear Stags Basketball Alumni:
The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) has had 15 champions since the start of the new millennium and the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags men's basketball team has been that champion eight times. The SCIAC also has had a post-season tournament since 2008 and CMS is the only conference team to be in that tournament each year, winning that championship four times and earning an automatic berth into the NCAA national championship tournament. 2015 represented the latest invite with the Stags traveling to Marshall, Texas to play in the West Regional. For only the second time in school history, CMS came away with a first round win, beating Texas Lutheran University 79-55.
In looking at the continuing achievements of Stags basketball, in addition to the accomplishments mentioned in the opening paragraph, one will see that the 2015 crown is the 18th in CMS history – a mark that no other SCIAC school can make claim to since the Stags joined the conference back in 1960. Indeed, since the entrance of the Stags 56 years ago, no SCIAC opponent has won more conference games than CMS. In fact, the Stags can boast of finishing 1st or 2nd in the SCIAC 24 of the past 32 seasons and in the top 3 for 29 times. One last note: this past season was the 18th consecutive winning season for CMS – also another conference record.
Team defense dominated the 2014-15 season – it was the strength of the defense that was the key to the 22 wins and the SCIAC championship. The team allowed only 56.6 points per game – a new CMS record, breaking the mark of 57.0 set seven seasons earlier in 2007-08. And in conference games, the Stags allowed only 55.7 points per game, the third best in school history. It was this strong defensive effort that allowed CMS to lead at halftime in 20 of its 27 games this season.
The 2015 roster featured a record 18 players: three seniors, five juniors, four sophomores and six freshmen. Everyone except the freshmen had championship experience which paid off down the stretch. The veterans were able to foster this prior experience and teach it to the newcomers as CMS came from two games down with three to play to garner its 18th SCIAC title.
Tyler Gaffaney (Gr., CMC, Mill Valley) returned for his fourth year of action. He had won three previous conference championships along with a 1st team All-SCIAC and Player of the Year honors his last two seasons. He was team captain once again and led by example on and off the court. He averaged 22.5 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game and 4.8 assists per game. He also led the team in 3 point shooting (47%) and free throw shooting (84%).
Jack Grodahl (Sr., CMC, Portland, OR) was back for his fourth season at CMS and third as a starter at the wing spot. He was the team's second best 3-point shooter and third best rebounder while mentoring the new players to the CMS way as one the team's three team captains.
Christian Mkpado (Sr., CMC, Santa Barbara) returned to the team after studying abroad his junior year. He played many roles for the Stags coming off the bench both as the inside forward and at the post spot and responded by shooting 75% from the field and grabbing 1.5 rebounds per game.
Jack Earley (Jr., CMC, Arlington, VA) earned a starting assignment at the point guard spot in his third season at CMS. His 5.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game strengthened the backcourt attack for the Stags. He also was one of the team's three captains. Jason Harrington (Jr., CMC, Woodinville, WA) rounded out the starting line-up as he once again opened at power forward. His 7 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, and 42% shooting on 3-point attempts showed his value to the CMS offense.
Shelby Lane (Jr., CMC, San Antonio, TX) was back for his third season and his second as the starting post player. He led the team in rebounding with 7 per game. He also shot 58% from the field. Nick Lund (Jr., CMC, Woburn, MA) also returned for his third year with the Stags at the center position. Coming off the bench, he showed his value by leading the team in field goal shooting at 58.3% and pulling down 3 rebounds per game. Rich Harris (So., CMC, Atherton) solidified the post position for CMS by coming off the bench to strengthen the Stags defense in the middle.
Scott Lynds (So., CMC, Laguna Beach) came off the bench at the point guard spot and continued to show his 3-point shooting ability. Riley Hall (So., CMC, Portland, OR) contributed at the inside forward position down the stretch playing key roles particularly in defensive roles.
Grayson Gunner (So., CMC, Lexington, VA) and Ollie Mausner (So., CMC, Manhattan Beach) also played important roles in the team's 2015 success. Grayson at the point guard position and Mausner as a wing.
Jack Ely (Fr., CMC, Saddle River, NJ) and Michael Scarlett (Fr., CMC, Irvine) provided offensive spark off the bench as small forward players. Kendrick Morris (Fr., CMC, Houston, TX) was another post player who made his presence felt inside the key. David Plumlee (Fr., CMC, Dallas, TX), Kene Adigwe (Fr., Lowell, MA), and Joey Malgesini (Fr., CMC, Los Altos) saw action at the point guard and wing positions contributing 3 points per game to the CMS attack.
The Stags traveled to Milwaukee to open the season in its first visit to the Wisconsin since 2012 to play in the Milwaukee School of Engineering tournament. An 81-38 win over Illinois Tech brought the first win of 2014-15 to CMS. Three days later in the team's home opener came the second win came against San Diego Christian 69-53. There was one more home game before the Thanksgiving holiday as the Stags hosted Trinity (TX). A strong first half made the difference as CMS held off the highly rated Tigers 64-54.
The Thanksgiving weekend was next and that also meant it was time for the annual Wells Classic co-hosted by CMS. This is the tournament envisioned by former CMS head basketball coach and athletic director David Wells (CMC '72) that brings top academic institutions to Claremont for a weekend of exciting Division III basketball. Lewis & Clark returns to the tournament while Grove City (PA) made its first appearance. The Stags turned up the heat in the second half in both games as they swept the tournament with 55-34 and 71-55 wins over Lewis & Clark and Grove City, respectively.
The non-conference schedule concluded with a road win over West Coast Baptist (80-57) and a home upset over NAIA powerhouse Westmont (79-64). It was shooting over 50% from the field that propelled CMS to both wins.
With the return from winter break, came the start of the 2015 SCIAC schedule. It started as the year before had ended with Redlands visiting CMS in the conference opener. Stags defense came to the forefront in allowing only 44 points paving the way in the 68-44 victory.
Heading out for its first road conference game, CMS led from start to finish in its 58-33 win over Caltech. This was the first of two wins over the Beaver, as the Stags won the rematch at home a month later in another strong defensive performance, 60-44.
Back home for its next two games, CMS hosted Whittier and La Verne. The Stags went on the offensive in both games opening up large first half leads that carried them to large victories: 90-57 over the Poets and 66-39 over the Leopards. In its next game at Cal Lutheran, CMS once again pulled out early with a 33-23 lead at the intermission. The second half was an evenly played high scoring affair where the Stags kept the Kingsmen away and won once again on the road 73-65.
Occidental came to Claremont and ran into the CMS defense buzz saw in which the Stags allowed only 22 first half points and 51 on the night on their way to the 82-51 win. Next up was the rematch against Whittier as CMS traveled to the Graham Athletic Center, a place where the Poets always have played well. This year was no exception as Whittier was on its way to a post-season spot in the conference tournament. As had become their pattern, the Stags had a strong opening stanza and led at halftime 42-28. The Poets staged a second half comeback but got no closer than the final margin of six in the 76-70 CMS victory.
It was back on road as now it was time for the rematch against Redlands. The Bulldogs also like home cooking and went into the locker room tied with the Stags at 32-all. But a late second half run over the final seven minutes of the game gave CMS the breathing it room it needed as the Stags pulled away for a 71-56 win.
The conference schedule was winding down to the final two weeks and CMS found itself trailing both Chapman and Cal Lutheran in the standings with only three games to play. Standing in the way of Stags' final charge were Pomona-Pitzer, Cal Lutheran itself, and La Verne.
The rivalry game against the Sagehens needs no introductory commentary. And this one had all the excitement any CMS fan would expect. The Stags and Pomona-Pitzer battled back and forth in the first half each scoring above their average but CMS held the advantage at the break 36-30. But then the Stags defense took over and changed the whole game – giving up only 19 points in the second half. With CMS scoring early, the lead ballooned to as many 29 points before the Stags closed out with a 67-49 victory.
Cal Lutheran was next on the home schedule and the Kingsmen now led by only a game over both CMS and Chapman. A win was necessary for the Stags to climb back into first place. Cal Lutheran showed why they were on top as they held a slim 30-27 lead at halftime. However, once again – a theme that keeps repeating itself – CMS turned up the defensive heat and gave up only 24 points in the second half while scoring 37 of its own. The end result was a 64-54 win and a date with destiny in the conference finale.
The Stags had to travel to La Verne and take on the Leos in the SuperTent. This always has been a tough place for any SCIAC opponent. The Stags knew of the challenge and also of the goal that awaited them and they showed their determination by coming out with a 58 point first half offensive explosion. Their 31-point halftime lead was more than enough as they beat La Verne 95-55 and laid claim to the 2015 SCIAC championship. One individual note to pass along: Tyler Gaffaney set a CMS record with a 9-9 performance on 3-point attempts.
For the eighth time, CMS qualified for the conference post-season tournament – the only SCIAC team to have qualified every year. As the number two seed, the Stags hosted Cal Lutheran as these two teams had to play for the second time in a week. CMS seemed revitalized after winning the SCIAC title and this energy came out early and often in the first half against the Kingsmen as the Stags took a 37-30 lead into the locker room at the intermission. That CMS defense took over and allowed only 21 second half points to Cal Lutheran while the offense scored 40 and the Stags were on their way to the tournament championship game following the 77-51 victory.
CMS had to play at Chapman in the title game. This was the seventh time the Stags had played for the tournament championship but only the second time on the road. The team was equally determined as it was against Cal Lutheran and grabbed the lead late in the half for a 30-26 margin at the break. The second half started as so many had before, the Stags were scoring but they were shutting down their opponents at the opposite side of the court. Over the first 14 minutes of the second half, CMS had built up the lead to 14 points. Chapman was a good team and everyone knew they would rally back as they closed the gap to three points in the final minute. However, a steal and two free throws were all the Stags needed to push back the Panther rally. The scoreboard told the story: a 71-66 win, the SCIAC tournament title, and a return trip to the NCAA national championships.
The call came two days later that CMS would be traveling to Marshall, TX where East Texas Baptist University would host the West Regional. The Stags would take on Texas Lutheran in one of the two semi-final games. It was another defensive gem for CMS as the Bulldogs scored only 55 for the night. The Stags offense after struggling early came to life in the second half to spark this 79-55 win, only the second ever 1st round NCAA win in CMS history.
The following night brought the season to an end as the Stags fell to host East Texas Baptist University 75-80. But there is no reason to feel disappointment, as CMS enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in school history. The 22 wins is the 3rd most in the 57-year annals of Stags basketball.
As is the protocol, following the SCIAC season, the conference coaches met to select the best players in the conference. Shelby Lane earned his first all-conference recognition by being named 2nd team All-SCIAC. Tyler Gaffaney, after being 1st team All-SCIAC as a sophomore and then Player of the Year as a senior after missing his entire junior year due to injury, once again received the David Wells Memorial Player of the Year Trophy. Gaffaney becomes only the third player to win the award twice – all three have been CMS Stags. Todd Thomas (CMC '88) in 1987 and 1988 and Chris Blees (CMC '11, CGU '12) in 2009, 2010, 2012 are the other two. This is the 13th time the Player of the Year has come from CMS. The conference initiated a new award in 2015 and that was Coach of the Year. Our own Ken Scalmanini was rewarded by his fellow coaches with that accolade as he led CMS to its eighth SCIAC title under his helm.
After the season ended, it was time to honor more players at the team's banquet. Gaffaney, Jack Grodahl and Jack Earley were recognized as the team's captains for this 2014-15. Newcomer Jack Ely kept getting stronger as the season wore on and for that growth was voted the CMS Most Improved Player by his teammates. Both Gaffaney and Lane shared the Best Defensive Player award. For Gaffaney it was the second straight year he received that honor. The Most Valuable Player trophy also went to Gaffaney for the second year in a row. It is easy to understand why as he scored 22.5 points per game, pulled down 6.1 rebounds per game, and passed off for 4.8 assists per game. He led the team in scoring in 23 of the team's 27 games this year.
We always save the Chris Kampe Memorial Hustle Award as the final award to describe. Chris Kampe graduated CMC in 1985 and was a three-year letterwinner as well as a 1st Team All-SCIAC selection his senior year. Chris was a good teammate and a better friend. He was diagnosed with cancer in January, 1992 and unfortunately, lost his battle in August, 1993. Coach Wells renamed the award in Chris' memory. This award had always stood for something special from the days when Coach Ducey initiated it in the early days of CMS basketball. It means as much today as it is given to a player who exhibits hard work, exemplary effort, and determination on a daily basis throughout the season. Senior Jack Grodahl was honored this season. He was a team leader as captain but was even more as a four-year letterman who symbolized the positive image of Stags basketball. He contributed to 85 CMS wins in his career while being part of three SCIAC championship teams.
And now the 2015-16 season is on the horizon. With only three players lost to graduation and another promising recruiting class coming in to join the veterans, the future for CMS Stags basketball continues to look bright.
Next year's schedule finds the team traveling to the San Francisco Bay Area to open the season with games at Cal Maritime and at UC Santa Cruz. CMS next travels to New York for its first East Coast trip in three years as the Stags take on Hunter College and John Jay College.
The following week is the Wells Classic over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This is the invitational tournament named in Coach Wells' memory that strives each year to bring the best academic institutions from throughout the country to Claremont for a weekend of exciting Division III basketball. Whenever possible, it is respectfully asked that you please direct your donations to the Wells Classic as the endowment is built up to fund this wonderful endeavor envisioned by Coach Wells. The 2015 edition sees Bristol College and Carlton College (MN) coming to Claremont for the Classic.
After completing the non-conference portion of the schedule, the always exciting SCIAC season will be waiting for the Stags as they return from winter break in early January. With the 2014 race coming down to the final game of the season, one can only expect 2015 to be just as action packed.
In closing, we once again thank you for your continued support. We always appreciate hearing from you. You can follow the Stags on the web by going to www.cmsathletics.org. All of the box scores from the season are posted as soon as available during the season. And now most games, the play-by-play can be followed with live "streaming" broadcasts on the web along with live stats.
Looking forward to a successful 2015-16 season, we remain,
Sincerely yours,
Mike Haas
CMC '79
Email address: ken.scalmanini@cms.claremont.edu