Basketball X-Men ready for return to AUS action

New look White and Blue boasts talented roster

By Corey LeBlanc

There are plenty of newcomers on the roster, not to mention a new head coach, but the focus for the STFX X-Men basketball program remains unchanged – making the playoffs and challenging for an Atlantic University Sport (AUS) championship.

"Everything is looking good," White and Blue head coach Tyrell Vernon says during a recent training camp conversation.

Although it is his first year in the top position, the Hamilton, Ontario native is no stranger to the X-Men program, having served the past two seasons as an assistant coach under now-retired head coach Steve Konchalski. He also played guard for STFX and graduated from the university.

"The talent is definitely there – it is a matter of putting it all together," he adds of his roster.

Vernon notes there continues to be a "learning curve," considering that the X-Men are returning from a more than 18-month layoff from playing any games; not to mention the newness of their line-up, which – of course – will require time to gel.

"Everyone is working hard, and that's all that we can ask of the players right now," he explains. And most importantly, Vernon adds, his student-athletes are "getting better every day."

When it comes to its make-up, he expects the X-Men roster to be "very, very skilled."

As for what fans can expect defensively from the team, Vernon says they are going to be "long and athletic."

"We want to get out in transition and force the tempo," he adds.

Although there will be differences, Vernon notes that the on-court product – stylistically – will be similar to what "Coach K had done in the past."

Several first-time X-Men have deep basketball roots with the Ontario-based The Rise Centre (TRC) Academy, where he served as head coach before joining the X-Men staff.

David Muenkat (Brampton, ON), a 6'7" forward who started his collegiate career at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, N.Y., brings experience and talent to the program. "We expect him to be a key contributor," Vernon says.

Bennett Grumbach (Toronto, ON), a 6'5" forward, and Gatluak James (Brantford, ON), a 6'5" guard – also TRC alumni – came into the White and Blue fold in 2020. "We expect them to play very, very well for us," Vernon adds.

There is also a family theme, when it comes to the newcomers, with Vernon's younger brother, Antoine (Hamilton, ON), having transferred to STFX last season after playing Division 1 basketball in the NCAA with the Oregon State Beavers.

"He is going to be big for us," the X-Men head coach says of the 6'0" point guard.

Handy Disanka (Broussard, QC) – at 6'8" and 270 pounds – provides muscle on the front line.

After wrapping up a successful prep school career with Rothesay Netherwood in New Brunswick in 2020, guard Matt Pennell (St. John's NL) committed to STFX. "He came ready to get after it," Vernon notes.

As for the returning X-Men, Avan Nava (Mississauga, ON) – the AUS rookie of the year in 2019-20 – and Dondre Reddick (Antigonish, N.S.), who joined him on the conference all-rookie team, are primed for breakout sophomore seasons.

"They have all gotten better," Vernon says of his returnees.

Noting there is "only one basketball," he explains that one of the keys for the X-Men will be meshing that talent, having everyone commit to the team concept and doing "whatever it takes to win."

As part of the development process, Vernon stresses the importance of student-athletes being "accountable every day."

"You can't let the foot off the pedal," he says of that focus. When that happens, he notes, "The wins will come."

Vernon didn't mince words, when asked if the focus this season is winning an AUS banner. "The way I look at it, if that is not the goal – every year, then I am not doing my job," he says.

They will get that opportunity starting Saturday, Sept. 25, when the X-Men welcome the University of King's College Blue Devils to Coach K Court at the Amelia Saputo Centre. Game time is 5 p.m.

"Everyone is really excited – the players are looking forward to going up against someone other than each other," Vernon says.

He notes that the X-Men have been "feeding off the energy on campus," which he suggests is much different than last year, when there was so much uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic.

That game against the Blue Devils will tip off an eight-game pre-season schedule, which includes participating in the Acadia Stu Aberdeen Tournament, culminates with the StFX Coach K Invitational on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24.

The White and Blue will start the AUS regular season on the road against the UNB Reds on Friday, Oct. 29 and Saturday, Oct. 30.

The X-Men home opener is set for Wednesday, Nov. 3, against the Acadia Axemen. Game time is 8 p.m.

"Our student-athletes are looking forward to playing together – and for each other," Vernon says.

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