Recap: Chapman men’s basketball season

The men’s basketball team finished 13-11 and players shared about how the team currently stands and how they will change moving forward. Photos courtesy of Anthony Smith

Another season is in the books. Chapman University’s men’s basketball team finished the season with an overall record of 13-11 and 7-9 for conference play. 

Graduate student Daniel Foldes, a business administration major, pointed out that the team had rocky stretches throughout the season with their record fluctuating above and below .500.

The Panthers managed to end the season strong on a three-game win streak, and in their last game on senior night, they defeated the Caltech Beavers 72-61. Anthony Smith, a senior strategic and corporate communication major, said that the team was boosted by fan attendance in their last game of the season. 

“Senior night is loaded with a lot of emotion and high energy, so I think that (22-4 run) was sparked off of that emotion,” Smith said as he described how the team rallied during the beginning of the second half to extend their lead to 53-29. “Everybody wanted to win for each other and go out on a high note.”

Jack Roggin, a senior psychology major, said that one of the team’s weaknesses throughout the regular season was rebounding and being physical on defense, which is what he believes the team will look to improve on the next season.

“Hopefully there’s a little more size next year, in the sense (that) we need bigger wing (players) in order to rebound the ball because we struggled a lot with rebounding this year and our defense,” Roggin said. “So, I think just being more physical and trying to get bigger guys or guys that are more defensive-minded would improve the team.”

Foldes said that there was much for freshmen starting guards Cruz Billings and Jake Heberle to learn and adjust to at a college level of basketball, which also affected the outcome of games. But Foldes is confident that these two players and the team as a whole will be settled into their roles.

Foldes’ favorite moment of this season came against Cal Lutheran on Feb. 11.

“It was in my hometown; my family and friends were there (at Cal Lutheran),” Foldes said. “We went to a team party afterwards at this awesome restaurant called Cronies Sports Grill in Ventura County. It was a great all around trip and experience.”

Smith said that game against Cal Lutheran was also one of his favorites, but nothing topped the game where he “posterized” an opposing player.

“I’d choose another (game), which was against La Verne when I dunked on that kid’s life,” Smith said.

Billings averaged 11.9 points per game and shot 47.5% from three while taking on the starting guard position. Meanwhile, Heberle averaged 14.1 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game.

“It’s all about coming in (and being ready) for (that) moment, and these guys were ready from the start,” Roggin commented on Billings and Herberle’s performances. “And to even be as good as they were this year as freshmen not knowing what really to expect, the sky's the limit for these two.”

Five seniors in key starting positions will be leaving the men’s basketball team, meaning that other players on the team will need to contribute. Smith mentioned junior business administration major and guard Kyle Lewis, who is known for his shooting abilities and physical play.

“A key guy next year who I think will really step up is Kyle Lewis. He’s a wing (player), and he played the same position (as me),” Smith said. “Coach (Bokosky) really loves shooters, and (Lewis is) a great shooter, at least a top 3 shooter on our team. He can also defend well, and he’s very physical. I think that was one of the things we lacked this year, which was defense, rebounding, and physicality. So, I think (Lewis) can bring all those things to the court.”

Roggin is looking at guard and business administration major Nick Saccacio to get more playing time. Saccacio was a junior transfer this year, and Roggin sees Saccacio being one of the upperclassmen to take up a leading role on the team.

“Nick is just a gritty defensive point guard who is always looking to drive and pass the ball (and) find shooters open, so he’s just a good guy that draws attention and finds shooters,” Roggin said. 

Smith, Roggins and Foldes will all be leaving the team at the end of the semester. Foldes said he appreciates all the family and friends who supported him in his five-year career, and both Smith and Roggins are grateful for all their valuable moments coming in as transfer players to Chapman.

“Chapman basketball was honestly more than I expected,” Smith said. “Transferring here, I did not expect to have this much fun, so the whole experience was (amazing) on and off the court, families involved, friends, everything. It was awesome.”