FLCC Men’s Basketball Players Become Role Models Off of the Hardwood

CANANDAIGUA – For FLCC head men's basketball coach Richard Jones – recruiting talent on a year-to-year basis is most likely the first thing on his agenda when looking to build the Lakers program each season. When sitting in the stands and watching any ordinary basketball game or sport for that matter – spectators tend to normally pay attention to the ebb and flow of the event that is taking place and more importantly – they zoom their eyes into the action to see what is transpiring on the playing surface. Their eyes may see the event unfolding in a clear, semi-clear, or unclear fashion. Regardless of their vision – what spectators tend not to see a great deal of coverage on is what the individual's playing the sport do in their leisure time.

Jones – when recruiting talent – deepens his search for the right players by seeking out individuals that pride themselves around being leaders – both on and off of the court. The men's basketball program at FLCC prides itself on leadership and character. It molds itself around the textbook definition of professionalism.

In terms of bringing in character-filled men – this season has been no different than any other for Jones. Recently, four members of the Lakers current roster took to becoming leaders off of the gym floor. Last week – Will Arberry, Kaleem Edwards, Richard De La Cruz, and Ben Wilburn – all of whom serve as solid assets for the FLCC men's basketball team – became instant role models away from the hardwood.

All four of these gentlemen – including FLCC student Deandre Jordan – paid a visit to a local CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) teams' practice on Monday, Feb. 4 to help work with a group of 9th grade students (boys) who play for St. Mary's Church in the local Canandaigua area. A team coached by FLCC business department adjunct John Polimeni – St. Mary's players were thrilled to hear the news that these guys would be working with them in one of their practices.

For a span of 90 minutes last Monday – Arberry, Edwards, De La Cruz, and Wilburn – as well as Jordan – worked directly with each player by offering tips of encouragement on ways to hone their skills.  The hour and a half spent with these 9th graders would prove later to be time well spent. The time offered by these classy FLCC basketball players would bring a great deal of confidence to each member of St. Mary's roster in practices and in games to come.

For Arberry, Edwards, and Wilburn (including Jordan) – their time spent with these young boys didn't end on Feb. 4. It had just begun.

Last Saturday (2/9) – St. Mary's took to game action as it paired up with a CYO team from Rochester. In its previous meeting with the Rochester CYO club – St. Mary's fell by 25 points. This time – when both squads met – St. Mary's – who only carried a roster of eight – played with an unbelievable amount of energy and confidence. They hung in the contest all game long – before falling by just four points.

After the hard-fought battle played on Saturday – St. Mary's returned to the floor on Sunday (2/10) for what would be its last game of the season. Entering the day in search of its first win of the season – St. Mary's arrived to the game feeling enthusiastic.  The game – which was played in St. Mary's gym – would turn out to be a classic.

Ten minutes prior to the start of the season finale – Arberry, Edwards, and Wilburn – as well as Jordan – made a surprise entrance into St. Mary's gym.

When these gentlemen arrived – St. Mary's players instantly became glorified with joy. With the support of these guys – St. Mary's played its game on Sunday with an undefined amount of intensity and determination.

Trailing with under a minute to go in the game – St. Mary's was knocking on the door of victory lane. As the clock ticked down – St. Mary's – with 32 seconds remaining on it – seized the lead and held onto it – notching a 49-47 victory in the process.

The win – without a doubt will remain long lasting in the minds of each player that wore a St. Mary's jersey on that day. What will also sit in their minds is the time they spent with Arberry, Edwards, De La Cruz, Wilburn – and Jordan.

These young boys can now proudly say they have located true role models in these FLCC students. For Polimeni – he believes "these men will forever be role models for my boys."

Coach Jones – along with Arberry, Edwards, De La Cruz, Wilburn, and the rest of the Lakers roster – prides itself on building a program that is centered around character-filled men.

A number of St. Mary's players along with their parents – in support of what these fine men did – will be making an appearance at the Lakers last regular season game – which is scheduled for Sunday (2/17) at FLCC.