The Chat Wrap for January 17th.
By: Michael Spellman
Updated: January 17, 2012
Story by Mike Spellman
Welcome to the first edition of the Chat Wrap, a series of short interviews with players, coaches or athletic directors who help shape the Central New York sports scene. For my first interview I talk with Mike Adey, New York Mills boys varsity basketball coach and a member of the New York State basketball Hall of Fame.
Mike Spellman: Last year you led the New York Mills Marauders to the school's 2nd ever Class D State Basketball Championship. How did that experience shape your goals for this season?
Mike Adey: Winning the State Championship was something we worked towards for a while. And we know to do it again this year we would have to work even harder. This is a much different team than last year's but in the end the goals are the same every year, for this team to be the best possible team that it can be.
MS: The team is currently 9-1 overall, 6-0 in league play. At this point in the season, who is the team MVP and which player has surprised you the most with his contributions?
MA: Well, you know Matt (Welch) is the stabilizer. The kid is six-foot-ten and scores a zillion points but the whole team has gotten us to 9-1. As for suprising I would say Cody Mariotti has done it all, scoring, rebounding, defense. Last year he was on the bench behind Fred (Russ) but he has played really well and has been the biggest surprise so far.
MS: Aside from Matt and Cody, name one player this team wouldn't succeed without.
MA: Nick Comenale has been a good scorer for us and JT Ross has been a good floor manager and defender. You hear coaches say that about a player, a good floor manager. Every team we play seems to try to throw something different at us and JT always handles it. It's like having another coach on the floor.
MS: The Marauders have a 35 game winning streak in CSC Division IV games but have played some close league games this year. Which teams concern you come playoff time?
MA: Oriskany is a very good team. Rome Catholic is much improved. Sackets Harbor is another team to beat. We have a game with them this weekend and Sackets is probably just as good as we are.
MS: And finally, you have had a long and successful coaching career. Where did last season's State Championship rank among your coaching accomplishments?
MA: The best thing. It was great, a fairy tale. Winning the championship one night and being inducted into the Hall of Fame the next day. We went 24-0 last season. We were the only team in the state to do that. I've had a lot of great teams and great memories but that would have to be at the top of the list.
Thanks Coach Adey. Tonight New York Mills plays at home versus Remsen. Don't forget to check back with cnyhomepage.com later tonight for the latest scores from across Central New York.
Welcome to the first edition of the Chat Wrap, a series of short interviews with players, coaches or athletic directors who help shape the Central New York sports scene. For my first interview I talk with Mike Adey, New York Mills boys varsity basketball coach and a member of the New York State basketball Hall of Fame.
Mike Spellman: Last year you led the New York Mills Marauders to the school's 2nd ever Class D State Basketball Championship. How did that experience shape your goals for this season?
Mike Adey: Winning the State Championship was something we worked towards for a while. And we know to do it again this year we would have to work even harder. This is a much different team than last year's but in the end the goals are the same every year, for this team to be the best possible team that it can be.
MS: The team is currently 9-1 overall, 6-0 in league play. At this point in the season, who is the team MVP and which player has surprised you the most with his contributions?
MA: Well, you know Matt (Welch) is the stabilizer. The kid is six-foot-ten and scores a zillion points but the whole team has gotten us to 9-1. As for suprising I would say Cody Mariotti has done it all, scoring, rebounding, defense. Last year he was on the bench behind Fred (Russ) but he has played really well and has been the biggest surprise so far.
MS: Aside from Matt and Cody, name one player this team wouldn't succeed without.
MA: Nick Comenale has been a good scorer for us and JT Ross has been a good floor manager and defender. You hear coaches say that about a player, a good floor manager. Every team we play seems to try to throw something different at us and JT always handles it. It's like having another coach on the floor.
MS: The Marauders have a 35 game winning streak in CSC Division IV games but have played some close league games this year. Which teams concern you come playoff time?
MA: Oriskany is a very good team. Rome Catholic is much improved. Sackets Harbor is another team to beat. We have a game with them this weekend and Sackets is probably just as good as we are.
MS: And finally, you have had a long and successful coaching career. Where did last season's State Championship rank among your coaching accomplishments?
MA: The best thing. It was great, a fairy tale. Winning the championship one night and being inducted into the Hall of Fame the next day. We went 24-0 last season. We were the only team in the state to do that. I've had a lot of great teams and great memories but that would have to be at the top of the list.
Thanks Coach Adey. Tonight New York Mills plays at home versus Remsen. Don't forget to check back with cnyhomepage.com later tonight for the latest scores from across Central New York.
