As a weatherman would say, “It looks like a storm is coming to the play-offs, with a chance of sunshine when the MATC Stormers win the National Championship.” The MATC Stormers are truly excelling beyond their divisional rank.
The MATC Stormers competed against top level teams to prepare them for the conference title. Records show, as of press time (January 30), Stormers have 14 wins and 5 losses. One of those losses was against Prairie State College (62-69) on December 10.
The Stormers brought the New Year in with consecutive ‘W-I-Ns’, that certainly spells new year, when they splashed the waters of College of Lake County (69-67) on January 03, wiped the floor with Western Technical College (84-73) on January 07, made Madison College mad (67-60) on January 11, clipped the wings of Harper College’s Hawks (77-61) on January 14, and forced the UW Marathon Co.’s Huskies to mush (81-63) on January 17.
On January 18, the Stormers lost against Tritton College Trojans (96-72). MATC Stormers came back with a win against the College of DuPage Chaparrals (77-75). The Stormers took on Joliet Junior College Wolves and defanged the pack with a win (80-75).
Those are great numbers for a team with incorrigible chemistry, Coach Travis Mrozek of the MATC Stormers said, “I’m pleasantly surprised how well the team works together from bottom to top.”
All of the Stormers’ starters have about ten points per game: Rashaad Alexander 10.9 per game, Nate Melchior 8.4 per game, Clem Robinson 10.6 per game, Nate Johnson 8.5 per game, Tevin Rumley 8.9 per game, and oh wait – this guy is great, Patrick Zemanovic is the Stormers’ leading scorer averaging 13.3 points per game.
Rashaad Alexander ranked fifth in the nation in assist per game, averaging 7.5 assist per game. On December 10, against Prairie State, Nate Johnson was a guy who had a spark off of the bench; he led the team with 25 points.
After missing some games, due to a hand injury, Clem Richardson stepped up on December 06, against Illinois Valley Community College, coming off of the bench putting in 22 minutes, putting up 10 points, 2 assists, and 5 rebounds; talk about a true Stormer.
That’s just to name a few of the teams elite. Nevertheless, the ball distribution is equal with an astonishing point spread amongst these guys.
Patrick Zemanovic, MATC Stormers’ Center, said, “Kennith Easterwood took my spot in the game against Lake County and the team didn’t miss a step.”
Watch for the Stormers’ success and playoff schedule on MATC’s homepage. Click on the Athletics section, the Men’s basketball, Schedule& results.