The Miracles were a powerhouse when it came to keeping the ball in their favor and beating down the defense from scoring, ranking top of the league for offensive rebounds per game (17.182) and total rebounds per game (52.659) while finishing third for Defensive Rebounds (35.477).
The team struggled when it came to getting the ball in the net and creating extra possessions. Ranking last in assist/turnover ratio (0.969), second last in 3-Pt Fg Pct (0.325), and third from the bottom when it came to scoring offense per game (99.750).
Off-Season Additions - Harold Washington (Canisius), Rashad Wright (Keene State), Troy Brewer (American University), Jason Conrad (Chico State), Freddy Appiah (draft), Matt Hunter (Central Connecticut State), Brandon Johnson (draft), Decorey Jones (Faulkner), Tyler Murray (Wagner), Cordell Jeanty (returning), Tramar Sutherland (South Plains College), Stanley Robinson (returning), Trayvon Lathan (returning)
The Miracles have signed two point guards via the NBLC draft. Ontario native Freddy Appiah from University of California and Brandon Johnson, a California native out of Kentucky Wesleyan.
The Canadian core features draft pick Freddy Appiah, “combo guard” Tyler Murray, Defensive Player of the Year, Tramar Sutherland, and returning for his third season, Cordell Jeanty.
The Miracles training camp consists of twelve players, leaving no room for error. The team need explosive players who can run the court, get the ball to the net, and bring energy and enthusiasm every night to the floor for a winning combo.
Off-Season Losses - Alex Desroches (Island Storm), Johnny Mayhane (Island Storm), Jermaine Dailey ( Sharjah, United Arab Emirates), Quin Humphrey (unsigned), Travis George (unsigned), Sylvania ‘Sly’ Watkins (unsigned), Matthew Robertson (unsigned) Brandon Webster (unsigned)
A couple of key losses this season for the Miracles are guards Alex Desroches and Johnny Mayhane, Desroches started in 42 games, played an average of 20. 5 minutes, 6.61 points per game, shot 45.6% from the field and 67.2% from the free throw line. Desroches is currently in training camp with the Island Storm.
Mayhane started in 42 games for the Miracles, averaged 36.6 minutes per game, 21 points per game, and shot a solid 85.3% from the free throw line, currently in training camp with the Island Storm.
Fan Favorite, Sylvania ‘Sly’ Watkins will not be back this year, the 6-foot-8 forward started in 34 games, averaged 23 minutes per game, shot 41.6% from the field, 37.5% from the three point range and 39.2% from the free throw line, and is currently unsigned.
Guards - Harold Washington, Troy Brewer, Freddy Appiah, Matt Hunter, Brandon Johnson, Tyler Murray, Trayvon Lathan
“Combo Guard”, Tyler Murray is set to hit the floor this season with the Miracles. A seasoned player, who is no stranger to the NBLC, Murray played last season with the Mississauga Power and the 2012-13 season with the NBLC Champions, London Lightning.
Rookie Harold Washington is a player to watch this season. The 6-foot-one point guard out of Canisius College, Washington may be new to pro basketball, but has the potential to add impact to the game, averaged 13.8 points per game, 2.3 assists, and shot a solid 41% from the three point range.
There is much hype behind the anticipated return of Trayvon Lathan. Returning from playing the summer league in Tijuana, Mexico for the Tijuana Zonkeys, Lathan played 40 games, averaged 19.4 points per game, 8.9 boards, and 3.6 assists per game. Lathan had impressive numbers last season with the Miracles, averaged 17.6 points per game and 4.2 assists per game. Lathan is a well-rounded player who can put up the numbers.
Centers/Forwards - Rashad Wright, Jason Conrad, Cordell Jeanty, Decorey Jones, Stanley Robinson
The return of Cordell Jeanty and Stanley Robinson will add strength to the Miracles front line, Jeanty started in 30 games, averaged 17.5 minutes and shot 70.1% from the free throw line. Robinson, started in 28 games, averaged 31.9 minutes and threw 59.5% from the free throw line.
Jason Conrad is a player that should bring lots of control to the floor, the 7-foot centre from California played last season in Holland. Started in 21 games, averaged 16.30 minutes, shot 40% from the three point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line.
Decorey Jones is a versatile player with a 6’8 wingspan, he played last year in Spain where he started 17 games, averaged 22.56 minutes, and 10.6 points per game. Jones shot 53.4% from the field, 30% from the three point range, and 62.5% from the free throw line.
Coach-Serge Langis
Entering in to his fourth season with the Moncton Miracles, Langis will be stepping into the shoes of the head coaching position. For the past three seasons, Langis was the assistant coach and is the first to be promoted to head coach within the NBL Canada League.
Langis is a coach who cares about his players, but knows what it takes to get the job done. He is focused on a team player environment in which everyone works together.
An assistant coach has not been named yet, however, joining Serge Langis in the Miracle organization is Joe Salerno, Sr., who is taking on the role of General Manager.
Schedule
Vs. Saint John Mill Rats
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Saturday, Nov. 1st, 2014
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7:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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Vs. Halifax Rainmen
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Friday, Nov. 7th, 2014
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7:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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@ Halifax Rainmen
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Sunday, Nov. 9th, 2014
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2:00 P.M.
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Scotiabank Centre. Halifax
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@Halifax Rainmen
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Thursday, Nov. 13th, 2014
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7:00 P.M.
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Scotiabank Centre, Halifax
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Vs. Halifax Rainmen
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Sunday, Nov. 23rd, 2014
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2:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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@Windsor Express
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Wednesday, Nov. 26th, 2014
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7:00 P.M.
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WFCU Centre, Windsor
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@ London Lightning
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Thursday, Nov. 27th, 2014
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7:00 P.M.
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Budweiser Gardens, London
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@ Saint John Mill Rats
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Saturday, Nov. 29th, 2014
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7:00 P.M.
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Harbour Station, Saint John
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@ Island Storm
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Thursday, Dec. 4th, 2014
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7:00 P.M.
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Eastlink Centre, Charlottetown
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Vs. Brampton A’s
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Saturday, Dec. 6th, 2014
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7:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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Vs. Saint John Mill Rats
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Friday, Dec. 12th, 2014
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7:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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@ Halifax Rainmen
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Friday, Dec.19th, 2014
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7:00 P.M.
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Scotiabank Centre, Halifax
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Vs. Island Storm
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Saturday, Dec. 20th, 2014
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7:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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@ Island Storm
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Friday, Dec. 26th, 2014
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2:00 P.M.
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Eastlink Centre, Charlottetown
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@ Saint John Mill Rats
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Thursday, Jan. 01, 2015
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7:00 P.M.
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Harbour Station, Saint John
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Vs. Island Storm
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Sunday, Jan. 04, 2015
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2:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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Vs. Mississauga Power
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Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015
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7:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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@ Saint John Mill Rats
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Thursday, Jan. 15th, 2015
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7:00 P.M.
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Harbour Station, Saint John
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Vs. Halifax Rainmen
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Friday, Jan. 16th, 2015
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7:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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Vs. Windsor Express
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Sunday, Jan. 18th, 2015
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2:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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Vs. Saint John Mill Rats
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Thursday, Jan. 22nd, 2015
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7:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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@ Saint John Mill Rats
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Saturday, Jan. 24th, 2015
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7:00 P.M.
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Harbour Station, Saint John
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@ Island Storm
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Sunday, Jan. 25th, 2015
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2:00 P.M.
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Eastlink Centre Charlottetown
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Vs. Halifax Rainmen
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Sunday, Feb. 01st, 2015
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2:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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@ Island Storm
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Saturday, Feb. 7th, 2015
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7:00 P.M.
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Eastlink Centre Charlottetown
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Vs. Island Storm
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Sunday, Feb. 8th, 2015
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2:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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@ Halifax Rainmen
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Thursday, Feb, 12th, 2015
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7:00 P.M.
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Scotiabank Centre, Charlottetown
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Vs. Saint John Mill Rats
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Monday, Feb. 16th, 2015
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7:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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Vs. London Lightning
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Tuesday, Feb. 24th, 2015
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7:00 P.M.
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Moncton Coliseum
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@ Brampton A’s
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Thursday, Feb. 26th, 2015
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7:00 P.M.
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Powerade Centre, Brampton
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@ Mississauga Power
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Friday, Feb, 27th, 2015
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7:00 P.M.
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Hershey Centre, Mississauga
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Outlook
With the last two seasons not being so successful for the Miracles, this season should be a turn around. Having an almost entire new team with exceptional athletes and seasoned veterans to lead the way, this could be the Miracle’s year.
---By: Roslyn Gushue