Cobra men beginning to hit their stride

The Parkland Cobras Men's basketball team is beginning to hit their stride as they have won six of their last seven games, including a perfect record in the month of December. The Cobras have shrugged off the slow start in November with improved team play on both sides of the ball, pushing their record to 11-7 overall at the halfway point of the season.

A big difference between now and the beginning of the season is the defensive tenacity the Cobras have displayed, holding their last five opponents to just 62.5 points per game. "Defense is a huge emphasis for us," Head coach Nate Mast said. "Our team goal is 65 points or less for the opponent every night, and when we do win it seems that those scores are in the 60's or low 70's." Mast's team is right on pace with this goal as they have allowed an average of only 64.5 points per game in each Cobra win thus far. 

The recent stretch of great defensive play is due in large part to the fact that the Cobras are starting to mesh with each other better. "Through December, I thought we built on our chemistry and got a little more comfortable and settled in," Mast said. "I feel like the pieces are coming together now."

The coaching staff worked tirelessly throughout the early portion of the season figuring out the rotations and different starting fives they can use to be successful. Mast has found four solidified starters and acknowledges that the deep bench the Cobras can throw at teams makes his job of identifying that fifth starter much easier because there is simply no drop off in talent.

"Any given night somebody can have a great game for us." Mast added. Mast has consistently played ten or 11 players for significant minutes during the course of the season, thus being able to keep each player fresh and ready to go. Having that luxury has played a major role in the team's recent resurgence.

Mast, along with assistant coaches Coleco Buie and Dustin Yoder are still searching for that one player who can lead the rest of the team and get everybody on the same page. Mast would be the first to tell you that having that extra "coach" on the floor to keep the team in tune with the head coach's expectations is vital, though he admits that with this team, it's not going to be just a one man responsibility. The responsibility is to be split between sophomores Jamel Johnson, Cody McCollum and Shaq Lowery. "They each have to work together to be our leaders," Mast said. "Getting those guys to work together, I think that will make us the most effective when they are all leaders at the same time."

Johnson, Lowery and McCollum have continued to shine, powering the Cobras through this great stretch, each averaging double figures in scoring and providing that necessary leadership to speed up the learning curve for the freshmen. The Cobras have gotten great lift from their bench during this turn around as there are five other players that have provided a consistent scoring threat, including Charles Glass III, Tiger O'Neil, Anthony Woods, Mark Gilchrese and Geordy Mulumba. This will prove to be essential down the stretch, as balanced scoring will give their opponents more to think about.

The Cobras have already been tested early and often playing a handful of teams ranked in the division I and II polls. There is a method to this strategy by Mast. "If this is how tough it is now, it's going to be just as tough at the end so let's learn how to win these type of games now so when it comes down to the time it matters most, we're prepared," Mast said.

The schedule will begin to work itself out, as they will have the chance to take advantage of a great home stretch where they host seven straight at Dodd's Athletic Center. Marquee games on the schedule include two with No.17 ranked Lincoln College and two with No. 4 ranked John Wood Community College. The trend of great play must continue in order for the Cobras to finish strong against such stout competition. Parkland travels to Lincoln Land for its next contest January 18, and their next home game is February 8 against Illinois Central. Come out and support your Parkland College men's basketball program as they strive to finish strong and springboard into postseason play.