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Owl Fab Five wrapping up hoop career
KEENE, N.H., 2/22/10 - "It's hard to believe it's coming to an end. It literally goes by so fast," said Kristin Degou (Newburyport Mass.), one of five seniors on this year's Keene State College women's basketball team.
Preparing for Tuesday night's first-round Little East Conference tournament game against Rhode Island College, Degou and fellow seniors Nicole Simmler (Oxford, Mass.), Alyssa Sapp (Hartford, Vt.), Celeste Veilleux (Burlington, Vt.), and Jen Cleaveland (Newington, Conn.) are putting the finishing touches on their four-year Keene State basketball careers.
During their tenure, Keene State has prospered on the court, posting an overall record of 75-34 (.688 pct) and a 37-20 (.649 pct.) mark in the highly competitive Little East Conference. The Owls earned their first-ever NCAA Division III berth during their freshmen season and last year advanced to the semifinal round of the ECAC New England tournament.
There have also been several individual honors. Degou, a former LEC Rookie of the Year, and Simmler are both All-Conference players and 1,000-point career scorers. Degou, a biology major, also has the distinction of being Keene State's first two-time District Academic All-American.
"As individuals, they've meant a lot to the program, but I think their major contribution comes from what they have collectively accomplished," said KSC coach Keith Boucher. "Your greatness is the sum of all your parts."
Each senior brings something distinctly different to the court. Degou is a slashing guard capable of locking down an opponent defensively, while Simmler is an athletic forward with interior and exterior range. Sapp is a team leader who has a knack for hitting the big basket, while Cleaveland is a force in the paint and one of the Owls' top rebounders. "Coach Boucher says ‘rebounder is all about heart,'" said Cleaveland. "You don't necessarily have to be the biggest player, but you have to be someone who wants the ball. That has always been a goal of mine."
While her playing time has been limited, Veilleux has enjoyed her four years with the team. Her work in practice has made the Owls a better team on the court. "I always love coming to practice," said Veilleux. "If I can help make my teammates become better players, then I've done my job."
Boucher appreciates his five seniors not only as players but, more importantly, as people. "Years ago, Michigan had its Fab Five, and, for me, this has been a fabulous five," he said. "Not because of what they do on the court, but the type of people they are off the court."
The five seniors are close on and off the court. "The older players all lived together when we were freshmen, so we kind of followed suit," said Degou. "Our personalities mesh, and everyone gets along."
"I talk to players on other teams, and I definitely think we have the best chemistry," said Cleaveland. "We're like a family."
"I wouldn't trade my teammates and their friendship for anything," said Sapp. "We have been so close since freshmen year, and I'm so glad they've become a part of my life and really grateful we all stuck together."
The memories will last a lifetime. On the court, there was the first-ever LEC win over Southern Maine and NCAA berth as freshmen and the team's amazing 9-1 record over rival Plymouth State. Off the court, there was Sunday morning breakfasts (banana pancakes and bacon) and Christmas at Coach Boucher's house, a Halloween dress-up practice, and the team's annual NASCA trip. "I'll never forget during a game when water spilled on the floor, and Liz Zwiebel (a former teammate) grabbed Coach's towel and wiped it up," said Sapp. "I don't think he was happy after that."
It will be all business for the five seniors on Tuesday as they hope to extend their Owl memories with an extended stay in the LEC tournament and earn a post-season berth. Regardless of the outcome, Boucher knows his five seniors will be successful when they leave Keene State. "All five of them have given their best effort in everything they do, and, at the end of the day, if you can say that, then you're going to be successful," he said.
