The bar is set high for new coach, new season for Moraine Valley men’s basketball

The Moraine Valley Community College men’s basketball team completed the 2012-13 season higher than they or any other Cyclones team has gone—runner up in the nation padded by NJCAA Region IV and Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championships. As a new season approaches, Moraine Valley finds itself ranked #12 in an NJCAA Division II poll with a new head coach, a new system and some fresh faces, but the same high standards and goals.

Coach Dedrick Shannon hung up his playbook after nine years, leaving on a very high note. The coveted role of head coach was entrusted to David Howard, a former Cyclone who played under Shannon in 2005-06. From his playing days at Whitney Young High School, Waubonsee Community College and Moraine Valley and then injuries that led to his coaching a throng of Chicago high school teams, Howard was given this chance as head coach and couldn’t be happier. “This is like a dream come true because I wanted to coach on the collegiate level. I have this opportunity, and now I have to make the best of it. I love this. This is not a job I have to peel myself out of bed for,” Howard said. “I’m grateful that coach [Bill] Finn and Dedrick opened this door for me. This is truly a blessing for me to be named head coach.”

With a new coach comes a different system and view of the game. On the court, Howard wants his guys to use their basketball IQ and play the game more mentally. Through an emphasis on defense, blocking out and good conditioning, he hopes this focus will aid his smaller-sized squad. Howard said he also is allowing his players to voice their opinions on what’s going well or what might work better, but he still has the upper hand.

Within his new system, Howard wants a melding of sport, academics and life. “My philosophy is to teach life through basketball. After my ACL reconstruction, I hung up my laces. I didn’t want it to happen, but at some point you have to hang up the laces and work. I want the players prepared. I want them to work on the court and in the classroom and develop them as young men of high quality and character and top citizens as a whole,” he said. “It’s a tough task, but I welcome it, and I believe I can make a difference. When they look back, I hope they think it was meaningful and that they learned to be disciplined and set goals.”

The Cyclones lost a key player in All-American Karrington Ward. Despite the loss, a group of veterans returns and brings that nationals experience to the table. All-Conference guard Johnte Shannon (Thornwood, 6’1”) is back along with guard/forward Des’nique Harris (Plainfield East, 6’4”), guard Cameron Juillerat (Australia, 5’11”), guard/forward Brett Kaiser (Stagg, 6’3”), center/forward Derrick Lynn (Bogan, 6’6”), and guard Kyle Ward (Lockport, 6’1”).

“I’m expecting these guys to carry the load because they gave their blood, sweat and tears last year. They know what it takes,” Howard said. “I’ll rely on them to push themselves and their teammates. This is the core group, but they can’t do it alone.”

Howard expects the incoming group of players to be invaluable to the success of the team. The effort from all sides will pay off, Howard said, and he has high expectations. “I want to do equally as well as last year. It’s a tall task, but I wouldn’t set the bar any lower. If we don’t return to nationals, I’ll be disappointed and feel I let everyone down. I’m ready to do what I have to do.”

The Cyclones open their season Nov. 2 with an away game against Kishwaukee College. Their first home game is Nov. 16 at 3 p.m.

For their complete schedule, visit www.morainevalley.edu/athletics/mens_bball/schedule.htm.