Props to Coach Mike McGarvey and the Lycoming College hoopsters. The Warriors just did the unthinkable by winning the 2020 Middle Atlantic Conference Championship. This was a total shocker as my boys literally came out of nowhere. McGarvey’s squad was picked to finish last in all of the preseason polls. Kudos to the other MAC coaches for providing the extra motivation.

Lycoming definitely took their lumps in Mike’s first year at the helm. They finished at 5-11 in-conference and 11-14 overall. His cupboards were somewhat empty, and it was a learning experience for the young coach. McGarvey brought in 11 talented freshmen to help fill the void. They jelled immediately and started making some noise. I loved watching this team evolve. Lycoming was never flashy just solid and finished the regular season at 17-8. It was a great year for the Warriors, but they were far from being done.

Lycoming prevailed over Hood College in the exciting pigtail. This was the first round of the Middle Atlantic Conference Tournament. Jensen and I were in attendance. Lamade was rocking, and it was a tremendous game. Junior guard Darius Dangerfield gave us both fist bumps during pregame. The crafty 5’6 point scored 18 points and dished out nine assists in the entertaining 80-78 win. Freshman center Dyson Harward, from nearby Danville, added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Much more on these guys later.

Lycoming then had to travel to Widener a few moons later. The Pride were the top dogs of the MAC Commonwealth with a 12-4 conference record. The Warriors were down at the break but came out on fire. They outplayed and outlasted their hosts to win by a very large margin. Dangerfield led Lycoming with a quiet 27. Incredible. A major upset for McGarvey and the Lycoming College Warriors. These kids are relentless.

The team made another trip to Philadelphia that weekend. They hooked up with the Arcadia Knights. It was a defensive struggle, but Lycoming found a way to defy the odds. Key plays and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch helped the Warriors secure the crown. Lycoming 68. Arcadia 64. McGarvey and company are the 2020 MAC Commonwealth champs and are now heading to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

“It was incredible,” the second-year coach told me at a closed practice on Wednesday. “We exceeded all expectations. I am thrilled for the entire team. We went out to do something special. They will remember this run for the rest of their lives. I know I will. No one gave us a shot, but our guys believed that they could do it. They were all in and were committed to the process. The chemistry is phenomenal. Everyone gets it.”

I am so proud of Coach McGarvey and his young team. It was an honor to talk some hoops and get to see him do his thing. Mike has a great way of bringing out the best in all of his players. The focus and determination that I witnessed in practice were insane. The Warriors don’t have the most talent, but they work extremely well together as a team. Congrats to Darius Dangerfield. He was named the MAC Commonwealth Championship MVP. The little guy was also selected to the First Team after leading the squad with 14.3 points and 4.7 assists per game. Freshman Dyson Harward was equally outstanding. He was the MAC Rookie of the Year after averaging 13 points and 7.9 boards. Harward shattered the single-season block record, and you can expect big things from him moving forward.

“Darius is really playing well,” McGarvey added. “He is seeing the floor and making plays by controlling the tempo. Dyson continues to get better too. He is very skilled and has been a nice surprise. I am glad that they received their individual accolades, but they will be the first to tell you or give credit to their teammates. We are looking forward to the tournament. Our guys have a great mindset and they are playing with so much confidence. We are peaking at the right time. Lycoming College will be a tough out.”

I was so hyped after that conversation with Coach McGarvey. I am well past my prime, but I was definitely moved. I even challenged Senior guard Ryan Hollis to a quick foul shooting competition. He graciously declined. Speaking of Ryan- he is my favorite player. This young man from MD wasn’t recruited and walked on. Hollis made the team as an unknown junior, and now he is a co-captain and starting guard. Never flashy. Just solid. Ryan has made some bigtime shots for the Warriors, and I am so happy for this young lad. He truly exemplifies everything that is great about Lycoming College.

The Warriors continue their season in Wooster, Ohio, on Friday. They will face the 15th-ranked Elmhurst College in the first round of the NCAA tournament. By the time you are reading this, the game has already been played. Hopefully, the Warriors found another way. Regardless of the outcome — I am very proud of Coach Mike McGarvey and my alma mater. Go Warriors. Cheers.