Last year I was at the MAC playing hoops. On another court, I saw a tall guy from one of my sections banking in two-footers. A bunch from the left, then a bunch from the right. For about 20 minutes. "Man, that's boring," I thought.
This guy is now the sole senior on a squad laden with wide-eyed underclassmen. He is a 6'4", 195-pound small forward who regularly bangs bodies with guys three inches taller and 20 pounds heavier than himself. And he is the consummate leader.
Captain Mike Scott used to be the best-kept secret in men's Ivy League basketball. Last season, Scott was the fourth-leading scorer on the Crimson, and did not have the name-recognition of the League's top point guard, junior teammate Tim Hill. But he may now be flatout the best player in the Ancient Eight.
Last night, in a 75-59 win against Army, Scott gave the few fans that showed up-along with Hall of Fame Boston Globe journalist, Bob Ryan-one of the most spirited efforts in recent memory. He had 22 points, a career high 11 rebounds, 4 steals, the game's only dunk, a clutch gliding layup that started a 10-4 run after the Cadets got within 6 points, and the play...
With the Crimson comfortably up 66-52, Army had a break-away. Forward Joe Clark spotted up for a trey on the left wing.
Out of nowhere, Scott came in to deflect the shot. Jumping about 10 feet out of bounds, he flung the ball over his head back onto the court. As both teams were scrambling for the rock, Scott ran back onto the parquet, dove onto the floor, and ended up with the basketball. He was greeted with a standing ovation from everyone in the building.
"I was just concerned with maintaining possession," said Scott.
"Mike is such a high-level athlete. It's so great to see a small forward come up with 11 rebounds," said coach Frank Sullivan.
'Hustle' was personified last night by Mike Scott. But this should not be surprising. After all, he holds the school record for steals in a game, with 7 (against Yale last year).
Some of his success this season can be attributed to impressive play by his teammates. Four of the Crimson starters scored in double figures last night, and freshman Dan Clemente provided a spark with 9 points and 9 boards.
"It's difficult for teams to focus on a single person," Scott said.
Yet, Scott is definitely the vocal leader of this team. He constantly directs his mates around the court and holds nothing back in terms of both encouragement and criticism.
But it all starts with those tedious lay ups at the MAC. Such dedication is novel to Harvard basketball, and is both the cause and effect of success.
"This program has come a long way. Guys are willing to put in long hours. Back when I came in, people didn't want to come to the gym," Scott said.
Scott does not miss many lay ups or three-pointers, for that matter.
He carries himself with professional demeanor among amateurs. And as 4-0 Harvard prepares for the meatier part of its schedule, may his inspired play signal bigger and better things for the Crimson. ARMY: Kwasniak 1-8 2-2 5; Crawford 9-12 0-2 19; Johnson 9-14 0-1 12; Clark 4-10 0-0 10; Pearson 2-4 0-0 4; Gurash 1-3 0-0 3; Anderson 0-0 0-0 0; Barrett 1-9 1-2 3; McFarland 0-0 0-0 0; Westfield 1-2 1-2 3; TOTALS 24-62 4-9 59. HARVARD: Hill 7-12 2-2 18; Beam 5-9 0-0 12; Scott 8-17 5-5 22; Fisher 6-9 0-2 12; Ewing 0-3 0-0 0; Clemente 4-8 0-0 9; Lewis 0-2 0-2 0; Dexter 1-1 0-0 2; Long 0-2 0-0 0. TOTALS: 31-63 7-11 75.
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