Men’s and women’s basketball are off to a solid start this season. Men’s basketball is 3-1 overall and currently on a 3 game win streak in which they have scored above 90 points in each game they have won. Women’s basketball is 3-2 overall. Both teams brought in a strong recruiting class which has added both depth and a competitive advantage to their lineup. Head women’s basketball coach, Alicia Mucher, said, “We are very happy with our season thus far-especially since we have eight newcomers [soon adding a transfer to our team in January].” Men’s basketball added four new players as well. “We have shown people that we are for real this year and surprised some teams,” said Brandon Camacho ‘16.
The road to success has not been easy for the Highlanders. Two weeks ago, men’s basketball was tested during their game against Oberlin College when the opposing team made a huge run late in the game in an attempt to come out of the game with a win. However, the Highlanders pulled through by making late runs in games against Wells College and Villa Maria College which were seemed to be out of reach. “The toughness and determination of this team has manifested itself each game in a different way by different players during crunch time and that is something that sets this team apart,” said head men’s basketball coach, Andrew Hannan. Before Thanksgiving break, women’s basketball returned to campus with a championship from an Oswego State tournament. This was the first tournament women’s basketball has won under Mucher. “We faced some pretty good programs while we were there, so it was awesome to see the girls hoist the trophy up after working so hard to win it,” said student assistant Taylor Button ‘16. Their first game against Hilbert College went to triple overtime and pulled out a win. “To go into OT (over time) at all and be victorious is hard, but to fight through three OT’s and win showed that we have an incredibly resilient group of players this year,” said Button.
Both men’s and women’s teams have been able to stay focused this season by creating attainable goals. Their goals for this season included making the Empire 8 conference tournament by being the top in the conference, competing in the Empire 8 conference championship game, having a certain number of rebounds more than the opposing team each game, getting to the free throw line, and limiting their turnovers. These goals drive these teams to work hard in all they do on and off the court by getting better and staying together. “Our theme this year is that we are ‘Responsible to the details…accountable to the mission’ and so far, this team has their eyes on the prize to achieve the goals we set and be successful in the mission,” said Button. “Our team is very encouraging, supportive, and uplifting whether you play the whole game or only get in for 30 seconds” said Hannah Manwaring ‘17. “We support one another on and off the court no matter what and put the team’s needs before our own.”
This year was also the first time the Houghton basketball programs did Moonlight Madness event, which was a great way for students to get to know the players on both teams and to watch them in action for the first time this season. There was a three-point contest, a scrimmage, and a contest where students and community members had the chance to compete for $20,000. “We really enjoyed the Moonlight Madness and the excitement that started on campus for the season. Also, the support at each of our home games so far has really been encouraging and we hope to see everybody keep coming out to the games,” said Camacho.