Bobcats bounce to British Isles

Winners of a team-record 20 games in the 2005-06 season, including a team-record string of 16 in a row, the Bates men's basketball team embarked upon a more far-flung odyssey in June, one that required most of the team's members to secure a passport for the first time.

Over a nine-day period, the Bobcats traveled to Ireland and England for a trip packed with sightseeing, camaraderie and basketball. They conducted a free youth clinic in Limerick, Ireland, and played club teams in Limerick, Dublin and London. Head coach Joe Reilly gave all of his players significant playing time, and utilized a different starting lineup in each game.

Nearly the entire 2005-06 roster made the excursion, as did head coach Joe Reilly, assistant coach Jon Furbush '05 and women's basketball coach Jim Murphy '69, acting as Reilly's assistant. Donations from Bates alumni helped to defray the cost of the trip.

"I wanted to give the guys some international basketball-playing experience," said Reilly, "and the trip was great for team chemistry and team bonding. I think it improves our chances for a successful 2006-07 season."

The following is excerpted from Reilly's journal from the trip, including accounts of the three games the Bobcats played.

Thursday, June 1st

After months of planning, fundraising and anticipation our departure date finally arrived. Thirteen players and three coaches (Head Coach Joe Reilly, Assistant Coach Jon Furbush and Women’s Head Coach Jim Murphy) met at Logan Airport in Boston at 4 p.m. to depart for Shannon Airport in Ireland. Due to a family commitment, rising junior Bryan Wholey made arrangements to meet up with the team in Killarney on Sunday. As a result of anticipated severe thunderstorms, we were able to be bumped to an earlier flight so we wouldn’t miss our connection in Philadelphia. The entire travel party did their best to catch a nap on the plane to rest up for the adventures ahead.

Friday, June 2nd

Upon arriving at Shannon Airport the group met Paul Reynolds, the driver and tour guide for the stay in Ireland. The first stop was Bunratty Castle and Folk Park for lunch and a few hours of sightseeing. The tour included exploring Bunratty Castle, built in 1425 and furnished with 15th- and 16th-century furnishings in the style period of the Great Earl. The Folk Park is a living reconstruction of the homes and environment of Ireland over a century ago and includes rural farmhouses, school house, church and village shops and streets. The evening concluded with a great welcome dinner at the hotel in Limerick.

Saturday, June 3rd

There was no time for jet lag today. We had a team breakfast and drove to Grove Island Recreation Center to conduct a free youth clinic for elementary and middle school students of Limerick. The clinic was a great success and it was believed to be the first ever clinic in Limerick by a team visiting from the United States. Many of the clinic participants returned to the gym after lunch to see the Bobcats play the Limerick Lions Basketball Club. Rising senior Rob Stockwell scored 23 points and secured eight rebounds to lead Bates to an 81-55 victory. Every player on the roster scored in the contest. Sam Taylor was second in rebounding with six boards and his classmate Zak Ray had 11 points and 10 assists. Immediately following the game, the team headed to Killarney and the evening concluded with at team dinner at the hotel.

Sunday, June 4th

The wake-up call was set for 7 a.m. and after a team breakfast the travel party boarded the bus for a day trip around the Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the Ring of Kerry. It was a relaxing tour taking in the beautiful landscape of mountains, valleys and lakes blended into the rocky coastline. There were many photo opportunities throughout the tour, including Sam Taylor, Ben Thayer and Zak Ray’s mountain climb during one of the stops. Bryan Wholey was waiting in the hotel when we returned to Killarney. The players had some free time for the remainder of the day to watch a nationally televised Gaelic football match and a hurling match, and to enjoy the city of Killarney.

Monday, June 5th

The group was on the road again at 8 a.m. to make their way to the city of Dublin. The first stop was the Blarney Castle, where most players ventured to the top of the castle to kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the eternal gift of eloquence. After the walking tour and lunch, the bus continued the four-hour ride to Dublin. Check-in at the Temple Bar Hotel was at 5 p.m. and the team had some free time to explore the city before a team dinner.

Tuesday, June 6th

After another terrific Irish breakfast, the group met the guide at 9 a.m. for a morning tour of Dublin. The first stop was Trinity College and a tour of an exhibit introducing the Book of Kells, a lavishly decorated copy of the four gospels written in Latin. The Book of Kells is believed to have been produced in the early 9th century by the monks of Iona. The tour continued throughout the city and concluded with a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. After a great day of sightseeing and some free time, the team met with the Killester Basketball Club for the second game of the tour. Despite 22 points and seven rebounds from Rob Stockwell, the Bobcats fell behind early and could not catch a very talented Killester team. Highlights of the 80-66 loss were Mark Westhuis’ seven rebonds, Pat Halloran’s 12 points and Zak Ray’s 12-point, nine-assist performance. The players had some free time in the evening to enjoy the Temple Bar district of Dublin.
 
Wednesday, June 7th

It was another early day with a 6 a.m. wake-up call to catch an Aer Lingus flight to London. It was a sad day to say goodbye to Paul Reynolds, the best tour bus driver on the island. Upon arrival in London, we were met by Alec Wilson and hopped on our bus for a fantastic tour of the City of London. A great lunch in Covent Garden was followed by a driving tour that included Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, Westminster Abbey, the House of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. We also took an hour and a half walking tour of the Tower of London, including the impressive display of the Crown Jewels. After the extensive tour we checked into our hotel in Notting Hill, near Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Andy Brock ’03 met the coaches and team at the hotel, and he provided some great insight and suggestions of how to take advantage of our time in London.

Thursday, June 8th

Today we were treated with a free morning and early afternoon before our final game versus the Hackey White Heat Basketball Club. The players still had an early wake-up call and they were encouraged to take advantage of their free time to explore the city. Activities today included visiting the British Museum, the Natural History Museum and a ride on the London Eye. It was evident that the team had adjusted to the time change and the different style of international play. Starting the third different lineup of the trip, the Bobcats played their best basketball of the tour and defeated a very talented Hackey White Heat Basketball Club 92-59. Once again Rob Stockwell led the Bobcats in scoring with 23 points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds. Zak Ray had a triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Mark Westhuis was a force in the paint with nine rebounds, Ben Thayer continued his impressive play with nine points and eight rebounds, and Scott Place and Bryan Wholey rounded out the high scorers with 12 and eight points, respectively.

Friday, June 9th

A long travel day began with a 6 a.m. breakfast and transfer to the airport. Everyone made it home safely with great memories. A special thanks to all of those who helped make this trip possible –- it was an experience of a lifetime!