It might be difficult for many to imagine, but it wasn’t too long ago that New Canaan was a “basketball town.” Although the Rams have not won a state title since 1962, hardcourt tradition has deep roots here in town, going back to the Loren Keyes-coached teams of the 1930’s, through the golden Wilky Gilmore and Gary Liberatore years of the late 50’s and early 60’s on up to the Don Usher era of the 70’s and 80’s.
And there might not be anyone here in town who is more aware of that tradition—or more qualified to restore it—than current Rams head coach Mike Evans.
“We have seven state championships, but no one knows that,” Evans told NewCanaanite.com. “We’re fifth all-time in Connecticut.”
New Canaan head coach Mike Evans. Credit: Terry Dinan
And while winning an eighth state title might not be on New Canaan’s bucket list in 2015-16, Evans and the Rams have set realistic goals for this season—including being at least 2-2 before the New Year, winning five of the first 12 games, and to finish with at least eight wins, ultimately qualifying for the state playoffs where anything can happen. All of these goals are approachable this season due to an unprecedented amount of athleticism in Evans’ tenure as head coach, which began in the 2012.
Despite losing top scorer Claude Chandonnet and point guard Paul Hagopian from last year’s squad which finished the 2014-15 season at 5-15, Evans is excited about the depth that this year’s team brings.
“We’re playing ten guys,” Evans said. “In years’ past I’ve played seven and trusted five. We are looking to be a little bit more up-tempo because of the legs we have and the athletes we have.”
At the top of that list of athletes are senior co-captains Jack Havard and Kyle Smith.
Havard, a center, will man the middle of the paint for New Canaan for the second consecutive year.
Rams senior co-captains Kyle Smith (l) and Jack Havard (r). Credit: Terry Dinan
“We’ve never had a captain like Jack Havard,” Evans said. “We came into the season one step ahead of any other year that I’ve been here because of Jack’s fall leadership. We were working out every day, playing every day. Jack was making sure guys were there—he was an extension of us coaches in the fall.”
Smith—fresh off a third consecutive football state championship as a starting wide receiver for the Rams—figures to be an instant source of offense and rebounding for the Rams, two areas that will be keys to New Canaan’s success this year.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete,” Evans said. “He’s more of a leader by example, and the hardest working guy on the floor.”
Smith—along with fellow senior football stars Sam Larson and Brian Maccalla—will also bring some of the football team’s winning attitude to the NCHS gym, an intangible that Evans feels has been missing from New Canaan’s basketball culture for quite some time.
“Ask any kid to paint you a picture of what it’s going to be like when he plays high school football, he knows,” Evans said. “He knows where it’s going to happen, what it’s going to look like, he knows who the coaches are. Because basketball has been a doormat for six or eight years, it’s just not as well known to the kids.”
NCBA youth players attend a recent Rams practice. Credit: Terry Dinan
With that said, Evans is doing everything he can to change that perception. From camps and clinics to having his own staff coaching in the youth travel leagues, Evans is mirroring the same feeder system that has helped the Rams football team emerge as a year-in, year-out powerhouse. He is also inviting grade school travel and rec teams to watch the Rams’ practices, helping them become familiar with the overall program.
“They’ll know the language we speak, the drills we do and the expectations we set for certain things,” Evans said. “It does a lot of things at once just having kids in the gym.”
Tyler Sweeney with a layup. Credit: Terry Dinan
One player who is sure to inspire future Ram cagers will be New Canaan’s best player, Tyler Sweeney. The junior forward will be entering his third season as a varsity player and will be a focal point of New Canaan’s offense. Equally adept at the outside shot and driving the lane, Sweeney is primed for a huge season.
Another familiar face on the Rams will be junior two-guard Timmy Russo, who will be an integral part of New Canaan’s up-tempo offense.
“No one is faster and in better shape than Tim Russo,” Evans said. “He’s a year-round runner and is the only guy in the country other than Tim Duncan who can make a 15-footer.”
New Canaan has a surplus of potential point guards this season, with sophomore Nick Crovatto leading the pack. Also figuring to get time running the Rams offense will be juniors Charlie Grow and Austin Bell, with the speedy Maccalla providing additional depth in the backcourt for New Canaan. Evans will have the option of having two ball handlers on the court at the same time, something that could come in handy against many of the tough, pressing defenses in the FCIAC this year.
New Canaan’s Michael Svagdis with a foul shot. Credit: Terry Dinan
Junior Michael Svagdis worked hard in the offseason to factor into Evans’ plans at the power forward position, where he will figure to split time with Smith. Versatile junior James Crovatto gives the Rams another weapon coming off the bench. And the 6’7″ Larson will provide some much-needed size and strength in the frontcourt for the Rams as they look to ignite a dormant spark of interest in basketball while working toward that long-term goal of making the state playoffs, something New Canaan has not done since 2009.
Evans and the Rams are hoping to fill the NCHS gym in 2015-16. Credit: Terry Dinan
“We have a group of guys, who with a little bit of support, could do a lot,” Evans said. “It’s hard to get fans to a game if you don’t win. But it’s also hard to win if you don’t have fans. We’re doing our best to win, and I would ask the town to chase down our schedule and come out and be loud for a group of guys who are trying to do something that hasn’t been done in a long time.”
The Rams kick off their 2015-16 season on Tuesday, Dec. 22 with an away game vs. Trumbull. Their first home game will be Jan. 8 against McMahon at 7pm.