New semesters bring with them fresh starts, especially for the USM men’s basketball team. The spring term brought with it the return of three seniors who were forced to sit out the fall semester due to NCAA requirements.
Foster Oakley (Mt. Vernon), Nick Gooding (Concord, CA) and Jamaal Caterina (Portland) have all rejoined Coach Karl Henrikson’s Huskies and have proved to be valuable additions, leading the team to five wins in their last six games and changing the team’s entire make-up.
Caterina, a transfer from the University of New Hampshire prior to last season, has been a force to be reckoned with, averaging 14.5 points and just over eight rebounds per contest, but his contributions have transcended the box score.
“Jamaal is a great passer even though his passes don’t always lead to baskets,” said Henrikson of the senior. “He moves the ball to where it needs to be, and he’s a great defender, too.”
The former Maine Mr. Basketball is glad he’s back after an injury plagued season last year.
“I was just tired of sitting. I’ve played at two Division I schools so I just kept working out the same way,” Caterina said of his return and immediate impact to the team.
As for Gooding and Oakley they, too, have had their unique impacts.
At 6’9″ and mobile, Gooding, who played at Division I Sacramento State, has provided Henrikson with a tough match-up for opposing teams and a level of versatility in the lineup. With Gooding on the floor next to Caterina (6’6″) and senior forward Drew Coppenrath (6’6″), the Huskies look like a Division 1 squad.
Oakley’s athleticism and perimeter defense have helped the Huskies keep opposing guards in check over the five game stretch and his perimeter shooting has added another offensive element to the Huskies arsenal.
“If he gets his shoulders square to the basket, chances are it’s going in,” Henrikson said of the guard.
As a former Husky captain, Oakley also contributes his experienced leadership.
With three new players coming on board, Henrikson and his staff have been dealt a somewhat unusual hand. Playing time for some players has been reduced and the overall team chemistry tested, but Henrikson has liked what he’s seen in his team’s composure.
“It’s like we had a second preseason and its made us change some things. We’ve had to simplify and streamline what we’re doing and that’s not such a bad thing,” Henrikson said. “These guys are just focused on our goals for the season.”
Senior Josh Daniels (Everett, WA), a two year captain for the squad, believes that the team is better of in all respects. “It gives us a whole new level of depth, skill and experience and it helps our team cohesion.”
Adding three seniors with vast playing experience has brought with it the ability for the Huskies to win in close contests. Three of the team’s last five wins have come by a total of six points, possibly indicating a key change in a team that has lost a number of close contests, including a pair of one point losses earlier in the season.
“We definitely bring maturity since the team was pretty young first semester,” Oakley said of the trio following the Huskies’ 71-69 victory over St. Joseph’s College on Jan. 24.
The second semester trio is not alone. Also rejoining the team after the holiday break was senior captain, Daniels, who had torn his calf and battled a chronic knee injury prior to the winter break.
The Huskies hope to utilize their newfound depth and versatility to contend for the conference title. They will have to get through a batch of athletic squads such nationally ranked UMass Dartmouth as well was foes Rhode Island College and Keene State.
The Huskies are next in action Jan. 29 at Plymouth State and return to Hill Gymnasium on Feb. 9 to take on Eastern Connecticut.