THE CHASE FOR THE TCCC CROWN BEGINS

Weston, Mass.—Regis College (4-7) will open its chase for The Commonwealth Coast Conference playoffs, and ultimately championship, begins with Colby-Sawyer College (7-5) Saturday, Jan. 9 at 3 p.m.

Led by Jesse Vega (Pawtucket, R.I.) with 14.7 points per game, Regis will have its hands full battling a Colby-Sawyer team that recently beat nationally ranked No. 7 Middlebury 86-76.

Slow the Charge…

Colby-Sawyer’s Jon Chaloux is averaging 21.6 points per game, and is the leader in average rebounds per game (6.2). Two other players crack the double figure point’s mark for the Chargers.

Jason Chevrefils and David Rosso are averaging 13.2 and 12.8 points per game respectively. All three are shooting better than 45 percent from the field. Chaloux and Rosso are shooting 83 and 70 percent respectively from the free-throw line.

Chaloux is a 6’6” post player that will give Regis College post players a hard time near the paint. Having a low average of rebounds shows that Chaloux can be boxed out effectively enough to give Regis an advantage.

Showcase the Pride…

Only one other player has been tallying a double figure average and that is Ta’Keame Gomes (Cambridge, Mass.). Returning threat, and 2008-09 All-TCCC Second Team member, Derrick Neal (Boston, Mass.) has been scoring significantly fewer points per game than his 17.1 average last season.

Neal has the ability to be a threat to any defensive play scheme, and will have to bring his best performance of the season to set the tone against Colby-Sawyer.

James Cooper (Philadelphia, Pa) is an experienced guard with a high basketball IQ. Cooper can finish drives that seem impossible for a comparable athlete, and this ability plays to Regis’ advantage against the Chargers.

Another talented on-court presence will be Phil Alibrandi (York, Maine). Alibrandi can sneak into double figures in points or rebounds, but does his best work as a utility player. He has size to battle comparable players.

Execution will be key for Regis College in this match-up. Any team is defeat able, and that goes for Colby-Sawyer. The Pride must play its game plan and not the opponents.

Slow the game when Regis is forcing too much, and push the ball when the opponent’s defense is incapable of defending.

Cooper and Neal could make for a potent combination if both show up for Regis College. Vega is an experienced floor leader and captain. Leaders must see the court and communicate what they see to their teammates up front.

With Vega shooting better than 84 percent from the free-throw line should be encouraging if Regis wants to put post players into early foul trouble.

Success and victory sit squarely on the shoulders of execution and communication. Failure in either could cause problems for Regis to send a message to TCCC opponents.

Regis will host Colby-Sawyer Jan. 9 at 3 p.m.