Tim Dezelski, a junior starter on the men’s basketball team, gives the inside perspective on the Charger’s game and the huge role he contributes to the team.
How do you feel about this season so far?
We started out well, but then we hit a rough patch with the start of GLIAC play. We got punched in the mouth a little bit at the beginning and now we’re still learning how to play together.
What is different between this season and last season?
Last year we were super experienced; we had seven seniors. This year we have two, so we have to learn on the fly and learn how to work together and win together.
Who do you work well with?
I came in with Tony Nelson, and Anthony Manno, and Nick Washburn and we’ve been best friends since. Wash has been a starter for four years with Brandon Pritzl and they are great to play with. Ryan Choiniere has always been great at dishing the ball and we have been on the same page on the court.
What would you say is your role on the team?
I just try to be as good of a leader as I can. I know I’m going to play a lot of minutes. Everyone on our team is dangerous at any time. So it’s not about me getting shots off, it’s about looking for your teammates who have the shot.
What would you say was the most difficult part of the season?
The week we lost to Malone and Walsh. We got our butts kicked, and we blew that 20-point lead. We were excited to play the new teams and we didn’t have a strong showing. It was mid-season and we definitely had to regroup from that.
What adjustments has the team made throughout the season?
Sometimes we have let other teams speed us up. We’ve been working on determining the pace of the game and not letting them pace us.
What kind of pace is the team working to achieve?
We like to share the ball and work the shot clock. The way we do offense it’s hard for a team to cover us for 35 seconds when everyone on our team is so dangerous with the ball.
How do you maintain that pace?
The way we pass, cut, and screen for each other is so important. We are always looking to screen for each other and get the ball. A lot of teams want to guard you for only 15-20 seconds; they won’t put the work in for the full 35 seconds. A lot of times when we effectively work the shot clock, that is when we get our shots off and score points.
What are the goals for the rest of the season?
Same goals as every year: win the GLIAC and win the South. That doesn’t change now that we’ve established a tradition of excellence. If we win out and Findlay wins out for the rest of the season, then we will play at Findlay. Let’s say we make it to the championship, then we could make the NCAA tournament. All our goals are definitely reachable and we just need to keep playing hard.
Are you burned out on this season at all?
Not this year. I’ve been in regular contact with old Charger teammates like Brad Guinane ‘12 and Tyler Gerber ‘12. They have been giving me tips on how to keep strong. One of the tips Guinane gave me was the ice baths, those definitely have helped. And our coaches do a lot to make sure I’m ready to go every time on game day. There’s a lot of great encouragement surrounding me.
Have you been holding out on the dunk during the games?
I’d rather do the layup and get the two points. Honestly, I’m nervous I’d miss. Dunking is not my thing. It takes up too much energy. Don’t get me wrong, I can do it, but a layup is just as many points and it’s safer and takes less energy.
After Hillsdale, would you consider taking a similar path as Guinane and playing professionally?
Definitely, that’s always been my goal and if the opportunity arose, I would jump all over it. I’m excited to see what will happen this season and for the future.
-Compiled by Matt Melchior