A bitter-sweet tradition in college athletics, senior night, is gracing the Coliseum tomorrow night as Darian DeVries has to say some tough goodbyes to some incredible basketball players.
DeVries is in a unique situation going into senior night as for many of his seniors, it is only their first year in Morgantown. “I think for us it’s a little bit unique,” said DeVries, “you know it’s our first year and every senior’s first year. So I think from just a coaching standpoint it’s like you know an appreciation of these guys willing to come and spend their last year to play for us.”
It is safe to say that for all four of those seniors, the move to the mountain state certainly paid off. Not only that, but all of them meant so much to the program in the different ways they utilized their skill sets to help the team succeed.
DeVries was asked to talk about each of his seniors and how they have left an impact on the program, and what better of person to start off talking about than Javon Small. ” I think it may be as good of an individual season that I have been a part of,” said DeVries, “”What he has done for this team you know this year and with the circumstances.” It has been nothing short of an incredible season for the “Big Twelve Player of the Year” finalist and he will look to take what Coach DeVries has taught him to the next level.
Next was Eduardo Andre, the off-the-bench role player who has made stunning improvements in his game. “I think you look at him and the progress that he made,” said DeVries, “from June until now, the impact he has had with his shot blocking.” Eduardo has been a key player on and off the court and will be deeply missed.
After Andre was Jake Auer, Jake came into this program with the expectation of helping this team be great in any way he could. “He came with zero expectations,” said DeVries, “he just wanted to be a part of it,” Auer told DeVries personally that he would be a great teammate and great scout team guy, a guy who really just wanted to see his team and teammates succeed. His contributions will be deeply missed.
As senior night approaches these three guys will need to remember that senior night will not be the last game they play. It may be a goodbye but it is not the last game they will play. The Mountaineers look forward to the Big Twelve Tournament and possibly the NCAA Tournament. For these seniors leaving it all out on the court is not an option, it is mandatory.
