Britons seek support for continued success
By Heidi Schurman
Staff Writer

As the Albion College Men’s basketball team prepares for the second half of its 13-5 season , the men ask for their fans’ help in winning a championship.

The team is currently ranked second in the league with a 4-2 record, which ties them with both Hope and Olivet. “We have a lot of talent,” said Eric Petroelje, Zeeland senior. “We really click and work as a team.” Players also noted that a full Kresge gym adds to their success and they would like fans to continue coming for the second half of the season.

According to Ben Feeney, Battle Creek junior, the men give one hundred percent all of the time, at both practices and games. “The first day we stop doing that is the first day we stop being successful,” Feeney said. To Feeney, everyone on the team is a key asset. At every practice, teammates constantly challenge each other to perform well.

Many of the players attribute their achievements to the coaching combination of Coach Mike Turner and Coach Jody May. Coach Turner helps to prepare the men mentally for games, while coach May works more with strategy, the X’s and O’s part of the game.

The second half of the season looks to be even more rewarding than the first. When asked for predictions, Coach Turner said, “I don’t make predictions. I have a lot of expectations and demands.” The team agrees with Coach Turner and follow his motto, “The only game we can win is the next.”

“We need to improve our consistency,” said Jon VanderWal, Cadillac senior. “We beat Calvin and Hope and lost to Alma and Olivet.” The coaches are working hard to help the team improve. “They write a lot of scouting reports and have us watch game videos.” The reports and videos help in working the offense and defense in creating plays to out-maneuver the opposing teams.

The team asserts that large crowds help to lift the spirits and raise the comp etitive level of play. Crowd members, nicknamed the “Kresge Krazys,”give the team an extra boost. With regard to the crowd at the last home game against Hope, Feeney said, “All these people came here to watch us work.” Seeing students, faculty and staff in the stands cheering gives the team an extra boost of self-confidence.

“I like it loud,” said Andrew Neidlinger, Marshall junior. When the gym is full, the noise level increases and heightens the aggressiveness. Both players and fans can feel the emotion running through the gym. When the players are doing well, the crowd is on their feet. When the team is struggling the crowd is quieter and more nervous, but still encouraging.

As one of the leaders of the “Kresge Krazys”, Leon McDonald, Pontiac sophomore, has followed the team through the season. “I like the student crowds,” he said. “I used to play basketball and a lot of my fraternity brothers are on the team.” McDonald believes that the team has a great chance at winning the MIAA’s this year.

The team would like to thank of all of their supporters so far this season. “It’s nice when you see that kid in one of your classes cheering for us,” Feeney said. Students, faculty and staff are all encouraged to attend the upcoming home game at 7:30, February 7.