The Exeter boys basketball team has lost eight games this season, and with half of those defeats by two possessions or less, the Tigers are focused on correcting mistakes and getting over the hump for wins in the conference slate of the season.
Tremayne Williams, Exeter hoops coach, said the growth in competitiveness of the program has come with some growing pains this season, as the Tigers are learning how much it takes to get wins.
“On one hand, we have a sense of being good, but on the other, we don’t know how to be great when the moment comes,” he said. “The main thing killing us is turnovers at the wrong time, or missing open looks or shots at pivotal points of the game. We are one or two possessions away in the fourth, right there knocking at the door of being a winning program, but we can hang our hats on being competitive.”
Exeter (2-8) had dropped seven games in a row as of Thursday’s loss to Diamond, 50-45. Of those opponents, four have records at .500 or above.
Williams said to change the tune of the season, discipline and using the losses as motivation will be key.
“We start to feel like we have it, like in the Diamond game, then the discipline drops off,” he said. “Our goal now is to use all these tough losses and turn it into knowing what not to do in a situation. In those pivotal moments, where can we find more success? We can find it if we clean up in those certain areas.”
Williams’ point was exemplified in the Diamond game, when thanks to deep play off the bench, the Tigers went on a run in the first half. Kendall Gorman entered the game late in the first quarter and drained a three-pointer, hit a layup then hit another and drew a foul. The lead Gorman built, however, was flipped on its head by the halftime horn.
“That run speaks to the guys we have coming off the bench,” Williams said. “They are dynamic and it’s great what they can give you in a game. We just have to try to find a way to compete for 32 minutes.”
Exeter plays in the Patriot Winter Games this week, then has two road games before returning home for a five-game conference swing. Williams said he’s excited to see how the Tigers can turn the season around.
“This is the most open the conference has ever been at the moment,” Williams said. “Wheaton has the best record [at 9-6], so we probably need to be in it that night. As far as the overall outcome, I hope to see us on the inning side of things.
“I cannot stress how aggravating it is to know how close we are to being that team.”
