The Keene State men’s basketball team recently wrapped up a record-breaking 2022-23 season that saw the program’s second consecutive Little East Conference (LEC) title, an appearance in the NCAA March Madness tournament, moving through until the Sweet 16, and an overall 28-2 season record.
Head coach Ryan Cain said his coaching philosophy centers around the importance of player-driven programs, where players take ownership and establish a standard for themselves and their teammates.
When preparing the team for big games, Cain said he focuses on building confidence and connectivity within the team, using slogans like “scared goes home” and “embrace the moment” to motivate his players.
His approach has proved to be successful, as men’s basketball finished the season ranked at number ten nationally, and the accolades piled up for some of the team’s standout performers.
Captains Jeff Hunter and Octavio Brito were recently named All-Americans by d3hoops.com and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). They became the fifth and sixth players in program history to receive All-American status by the NABC, according to the athletic department’s website.
Hunter, a senior forward who has led the team all season, was also a finalist for the Jostens Trophy, a “coveted prize in NCAA Division III men’s and women’s basketball” that recognizes the most outstanding basketball players in the division, the athletics department reported.
The awards did not stop there. Hunter earned numerous other awards throughout the season, including LEC Offensive Player of the Year, LEC Defensive Player of the Year, and was named to the All-Little East 1st Team and All-Little East Defensive Team.
“I believe that hard work, unselfishness and leadership skills are essential for any basketball player. Whether it’s basketball or anything else, you have to work hard to be where you want to be. Additionally, leadership and unselfishness are critical to building a great team,” Hunter said of the qualities that make a successful basketball player.
Sophomore guard Brito earned All-Little East 1st Team and All-Little East Defensive Team honors, and junior Nate Siow was named to the All-Little East Defensive Team.
Cain was also recognized for his leadership and coaching abilities, earning LEC Coach of the Year honors.
Brito gave advice to young players who are just starting to play basketball. “Make sure to stick with it, you’re going to get better over time just keep working, it’s a marathon, not a sprint,” he said.
Cain also discussed the challenges that student-athletes face today, including social media, mental health and navigating the college scene. He stressed the importance of providing support and resources to help athletes succeed both on and off the court.
In terms of balancing individual player development with team success, Cain said he focuses on giving players confidence, playing to their strengths and structuring the offense to take advantage of different skill sets. He also supports skill development by providing players with ideas and resources for improving their abilities.
Brito said he handles pressure situations, such as close games and or crucial winning shots, “very well because my coach stimulates those kinds of situations in practice so I’m very prepared for them.”
Cain said it’s important to use losses as learning opportunities and to establish a culture of improvement, rather than focusing solely on game results. “I think after having a consistent level of success, at the level that we’re able to have it, knowing that we lose four guys that had a tremendous role in helping us get to where we got,” he said.
He continued, “But we returned the core of our group, we’re able to have that consistent success and I think we understand what it’s going to take to get us to the next level… We know the things that we need to do collectively as a group to take that next step.”
Tim Moore can be contacted at
tmoore@kscequinox.com
