Men’s Basketball Season in Review

Despite having a 20-win goal for the year and falling 16 wins short, the Franciscan University men’s basketball team battled every team they played and took some of the top teams in the conference right down to the wire.

“The season ended a little differently than expected,” fifth-year head coach Sean Donovan said. “Our outlook on the season back in October was very bright; we had high expectations for ourselves, but we never stopped fighting. The boys were resilient—even in the face of adversity—whether it be an injury or a loss of a teammate [due to injury or eligibility].

According to La Roche College Redhawks head coach Harry Jenkins, who led his team to be the 2011 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference champions, the Barons were “tough to play” and that his team “always loved playing games against [Franciscan].” Early in February, Franciscan took La Roche down to the final minutes of the second half before the Redhawks put away the victory.

Jenkins surely had not forgotten about the first time the two teams matched up at Franciscan just a month prior, when the Barons took the Redhawks into overtime before suffering a 75-68 loss. La Roche was in the midst of a 12-game winning streak at the time of that conference match-up.

“We battled every team in the AMCC, taking every team down to the wire,” Donovan added. “What I really enjoyed about this team was its will to fight. Even with a seven-game losing streak in hand, we never lost hope. We offered up each practice and game for a special intention then gave it all to the Lord.”

The Barons had a few players who were key contributors this season, and none more important than First Team All-AMCC guard Thomas Kleinschnitz. “Thomas was that ‘Game Changer’ that every coach wishes he had. He was clearly the best athlete in the AMCC and he made his teammates better,” said Donovan. Kleinschnitz set numerous records in his two-years in a Baron jersey, including the single-game scoring record when he dropped 39 points in that overtime battle with La Roche. He also set the record for most points in a single season, scoring an astonishing 510 points this season.

Also leading the team was Kleinschnitz’s co-captain Connor Flanagan. Flanagan was the first player in Franciscan history to play all four years, and “has been that steady leader throughout his career at Franciscan,” according to Donovan. “His example on and off the court should be commended.”

In addition to the two captains was senior Nate Stanton who came back to Franciscan in his last year of collegiate eligibility. Despite playing hurt almost all year, Stanton “showed his teammates the heart of a champion,” said Donovan. “He was our Iron Man this year, and his role on this year’s team was much different than it was in year’s past, but he never complained.”

Donovan noted junior Frank Murray as the most consistent defensive player on the floor for the Barons. After missing the first seven games with an injury, Donovan said that he may have been overseen stats-wise by other teams in the conference, but “as mid-season arrived, everyone knew who he was.”

Finally Donovan noted senior Shane Crump and sophomore David Rainwater as the most improved players on the team. Both players gave the Barons solid minutes off the bench, especially toward the end of the season. “What showed most was their desire to give everything they had.”

Donovan has high hopes for his team next year as well, noting that although they will be young, they will be competitive. “The future looks bright in our first year of full NCAA membership. we not only expect to make the AMCC tournament, but to make a run at our first ever AMCC basketball championship.”