STANDISH, ME - The 2013 Monks looked to build upon the previous season where the team went 18-9 (13-5 GNAC), good enough for the #2 seed in the conference. Led by tenth-year coach Rob Sanicola '99, SJC began the new season at home against Bowdoin College on November 20th. In the eventual 82-62 Monk victory, junior Matthew Medeiros (Westport, Mass.) compiled 29 points to go along with four assists and six rebounds. The Monks shot 56.0% from the field in the victory, beginning the year 1-0.
The Monks went on to beat the University of Southern Maine and Bates College in successive games, 70-56 and 66-54 respectively to begin the year a perfect 3-0. Sophomore guard Steve Simonds (Steep Falls, Maine) and junior forward Nicholas Jobin (Westbrook, Maine) emerged as the leaders of the offense to begin the year, with each two players leading the team in scoring against both USM and Bates.
After back-to-back defeats against Husson University and Suffolk University, the Monks got back on the winning track with a decisive 69-50 win over Rivier University on December 6th. Jobin and Simonds led the scoring, while freshman point guard Jerome Diggs (Centreville, Va.) came off the bench to add eight points. After two more wins over Emerson College and Becker College on December 8th and 30th, the Monks stood at 6-2 to begin the year.
SJC went 2-2 its next four games, including a win over Norwich University and another triumph over Rivier, 56-55. The Monks defense shined bright all year, but it was simply unstoppable in a 49-41 win over Johnson & Wales University on January 21st. Jobin and Medeiros once again led the scoring, while Craig Luschenat (Boston, Mass.), Krubiel Workie (Denver, Col.), and Zach Blodgett (Glenburn, Maine) all contributed off the bench.
Heading into the GNAC Tournament Quarterfinal against Emerson on February 19th, the Monks stood at 16-9, looking to advance in the playoffs as a #5 seed. After trailing by 15 points midway through the second half, the Monks were led by Simonds, who took over the court and finished the game leading SJC in both points (23) and assists (eight). Over the seven final minutes of regulation, the two squads swapped the lead three times and twice had identical scores. The Monks outplayed the opposition in OT, leading them to a resilient 73-68 win against their conference counterparts.
The Monks advanced to the GNAC Semifinal game against top-seeded Anna Maria College on February 21st, where they were met by the AMCATS high-powered offense and hard-nosed defense. Despite 19 points from Simonds, nine boards by Medeiros, and shooting over 50% from the field, the Monks fell short, 75-63, concluding the season.
Medeiros finished the year as the team leader in PPG (15.3), points (413), and second on the team with 58 assists. Jobin led the team in RPG (5.5), total rebounds (149), and FG% (56.5). James Philbrook (Auburn, Maine) totaled ten blocks on the year, and Jerome Diggs paced the team with 33 total steals. Medeiros and Jobin took home all-conference honors, while Philbrook, Jobin, and Medeiros were all named to the GNAC All-Academic squad.
WRITTEN BY JACK HOLLY '14
Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 430-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.
