Daniel Williams/Collegian
Seniors Cory Coe and John Hamood have been teammates for the past four years during their Charger basketball careers.
This year’s senior basketball players are not only essential to the team, but men of character.
“They show emotion and playful energy when they play together,” Coach Ed Douma said.
Cory Coe, a shooting guard from Williamston, Mich., has been playing basketball since his parents gave him his first ball and hoop at age six.
Both of his parents used to be coaches, making it natural for Coe to want to play basketball.
“I grew into basketball,” Coe said. “When I was younger I just wanted to mess around then it became something that I wanted to be good at.”
Coe is hoping to go into law or financial management and sees some of the skills he has gained through basketball as beneficial to his future career choices.
“Going into law I will apply my skills of leadership, hard work, and being able to get things done on time,” Coe said. “Basketball has taught me a lot of attributes that I would not be able to pick up just going to school.”
While being a central player on the team, Coe is involved in many other extracurricular activities including Athletes in Action, basketball camps in the summer, and involvement with his church.
Coe said that the best part of playing basketball at Hillsdale was fulfilling his dream of playing at the college level and that it will be hard when it has to end.
“This is something that I have done for the past 15 years. It will be a sudden stop for me,” he said. “Basketball has given me a release from everything no matter what is on my mind.”
Senior point guard John Hamood from Dearborn, Mich., values not only the skills he acquired playing basketball at Hillsdale but the challenging education and demands on his time.
“Basketball at Hillsdale has helped me learn to manage my time and schooling. It is tough to get stuff done but in the long run it teaches you about managing your time,” Hamood said.
Hamood says the best part of playing basketball is the game.
“I think the best part is playing in the games and being in the heat of the moment and the battle with your team. After all that hard work you get to show everything that you have worked for,” he said.
Like Coe, Hamood will miss the release that came from playing the game when the season is over.
“Basketball has always been an outlet for me and that is the thing I am going to miss the most.”
When Hamood is not on the court he likes to hang out with his friends, play video games and listen to music.
Unlike Coe and Hamood, this is senior Keith Recker’s first year playing basketball for the chargers.
“My high school coach taught me to really have a passion for the game and with football being done I still wanted to be competitive in something,” Recker said. “. . .with how much I love basketball the coaches gave me the opportunity to play and I couldn’t resist it or I would always be wondering if I could have played.”
Growing up in Delphos, Ohio, Recker began playing organized basketball in the fourth grade but specialized in football throughout college. Recker said that the best part of playing basketball is the competition.
“To go out and just play as hard as you can and come out with a win is an indescribable feeling,” he said.
Hamood and Coe agree that helping younger players and being a role model for them is one of the most rewarding parts about being a senior on the team.
“I look forward to helping younger people on the team. I hope to lead by example,” Hamood said.
“I just want to be someone they can count on no matter what,” Coe said.
Douma said that when the season ends, like seniors who went before them, they will be missed.
“We will miss them for what they do both on and off the court,” he said.