By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
PRESQUE ISLE — University of Maine at Presque Isle men’s basketball coach Jim Casciano is excited about the prospects of this year’s squad, and it doesn’t hurt having several players back from last year’s team that were along for the ride in Casciano’s first year on the job.
Contributed photo
UMPI HOOP TEAM — Members of the University of Maine at Presque Isle men’s basketball team are, in front from left, Claude Louis, Ollie Barratt, Chase Vicaire, Aaron Hutchins, Jordan McLaughlin, Gerardo Vasquez and Brad Trask. Back row, head coach Jim Casciano, Jayson Burke, Nate Chisholm, Bob Wegner, Patrick Manifold, Michael Warner, Jean Thomas and assistant coach Brennen Morton.
“What made the preseason easier was the return of guys who know me and my system and they have shown great leadership,” said the coach. “In addition, each of them has improved their games. You can’t substitute for experience.”
Leading the way among the veterans is Patrick Manifold, a 6-8 senior from Great Yarmouth, United Kingdom who Casciano calls “a potential All-American” who should average double figures in points and rebounds this season. Through six games, he has averaged 14 points and nine boards per game.
“He is our ‘go to’ post player,” Casciano said.
Michael Warner (11.3 ppg, 5 rpg), a 6-3 junior from Norwich, UK, could be the Owls’ best all-around player, according to Casciano. He is an excellent three-point shooter and the coach feels he could be primed for a breakout season.
Brad Trask (6 ppg) is one of only two Aroostook County natives on the UMPI roster. Trask, a 6-2 senior from Easton, is “very consistent and really started to come around late last season,” Casciano said.
The coach said Aaron Hutchins, a 5-7 junior from Millinocket, is an ideal sixth man. Hutchins, who actually has started four times in the early going, broke out for 30 points in a win over Southern Maine Community College Nov. 25.
“He makes a tremendous difference coming off the bench for us,” Casciano said. “He brings energy, defense and scoring to the game.
Gerardo Vasquez is the Owls’ best on-the-ball defender who brings strength and toughness to the team. The 5-8 senior from Houston will be asked to run the team on the court. He had a season-high six assists in Saturday’s win over Fisher College in the consolation game of the Colby Invitational Tournament in Waterville.
Claude Louis, a 5-11 junior from Union, N.J., will see plenty of action as one of the team’s newcomers.
“He brings quickness, versatility and a natural scoring mentality to our team,” Casciano said of Louis, who averages a team-leading 16 ppg to go along with 5.6 rpg.
Jayson Burke is a 6-3 freshman from Bar Harbor who is “athletic, plays bigger than his height and will help in our need to rebound,” according to the coach.
Nate Chisholm, a 6-6 freshman from Southwest Harbor and a high school teammate of Burke at Mount Desert Island Regional High School, has the ability to post up and also step out and shoot three-pointers.
Casciano likes what 5-11 freshman Chase Vicaire, of Mattawamkeag, has brought to the team so far.
“He’s a gamer who has a high basketball IQ and he does all the little things, including the ability to shoot the three,” Casciano said.
Jean Thomas, another freshman who is from Brockton, Mass., is a raw talent who is very athletic, is an excellent rebounder and defender and “whose offensive game is catching up with the rest of his game,” according to the coach.
Jordan McLaughlin, a 5-9 freshman from Washburn, is another newcomer who has a great feel for the game and gives the Owls another weapon from the perimeter.
The rest of the roster includes 7-8 sophomore Bob Wegner of Strafford, N.H. and 5-11 freshman Ollie Barratt of Bury St. Edmunds, UK.
“We want to work to improve daily,” Casciano said. “I would like for our players to experience a winning season that can put us in position to go to the USCAA [United States Collegiate Athletic Association] tournament.
“In order for us to do this, we must be an excellent defensive team, rebound, take care of the basketball and improve our shooting percentages from the field, the three and from the free throw line.”
Casciano is hoping the team will be more consistent, get some offensive balance and play well on its home floor.
The Owls play a total of 11 home games this season, having already played four at Wieden Gymnasium to begin the campaign. UMPI holds a record of 5-3 heading into Friday’s home contest against Eastern Maine Community College.
Casciano said a key stretch of the campaign will be played just after the new year when the team has challenging away games against Fisher College, SUNY-Canton and Bowdoin in a five-day stretch.
“We need to develop good team chemistry by blending the returning players with the newcomers and learn not only how to compete, but how to win,” Casciano said.
