By: Kalia Inman
The Bergen Men’s Basketball team is about a quarter into its season and earned its first victory on Saturday, November 18th against the Delaware County Community College Phantoms, with a final score of 92-77.
A couple of weeks ago The Torch was able to chat with the Bergen Bulldogs Men’s Coach Pablo Carrasco and Captain Jaheim Bunting regarding their current season.
The Bergen Bulldogs have only been playing with each other for a couple of months now. The team consists of mostly freshmen and has just two returning players: Jaheim Bunting and CJ Dark. This is why Coach Carrasco’s main goal for the Bulldogs is “every day to get better.”
Carrasco states, “It’s just baby steps because, with a whole new team I have Jaheim and CJ. They’re the only returning players from last year. It’s just trying to get everyone on the same page.”
Coach Carrasco has now been coaching here at Bergen for three years: one year as assistant coach and two years as head. According to Coach Carrasco, “Basketball is my passion,” and he has quite the resume to prove it.
“Before Bergen, I coached at an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) team. I had my own AAU program. I also ran a basketball recreation in the town of Rochelle Park. I also played Division I at Fairleigh Dickinson University. And I played overseas in Argentina and Chile,” he adds.
Carrasco characterizes his coaching style as “very strategic.” He recognizes what type of team he has, understands his strengths and weaknesses, and adjusts how the team can do well.
“But I like playing fast. I like playing fun basketball. I like putting up points but also at the same time playing hard defense,” he explains.
Bergen students who enter directly from high school must adjust to a higher-level curriculum and responsibilities. The same goes for student-athletes who are entering into collegiate sports.
Sophomore point guard Jaheim Bunting, who has played basketball since age six, elaborates, “The game’s very fast. The difference between high school and college is basically game speed and making quick decisions.”
To physically and mentally prepare for games Bunting tends to watch film and listen to music.
“Make sure you’re listening to the right song to get in the right spirit. So, you’re ready to come game time to play,” Bunting comments.
Bunting’s playing style on the court is influenced by NBA point guard Kyrie Irving. “His creativity on the court is something I look up to and something I want to imitate.”
The Bulldogs’ Men’s Basketball team has completed eight games in the 2023-2024 season. With each upcoming game, the Bulldogs have an opportunity to grow as a team, Which is Bunting’s primary objective.
“To win, get better, and to make sure we all unite and bring something to Bergen,” he says.