Wins have been few and far between for the Bangor High School boys basketball team in recent years.
The Rams went just 9-47 during the past three seasons including a 1-18 campaign a year ago and a 2-17 mark the previous year.
Last season, their average losing margin was 23 points.
But the Rams have a new coach in Aaron Pinckney and they supplied him with his first win in the season-opener: a 65-61 victory over Portland.
A hot-shooting Oxford Hills High School of South Paris team dealt the Rams a 70-42 setback on Monday night.
The Rams return two starters off last year’s team in senior forward Liam Vigue and junior forward Josh Grunkemeyer.
Freshman Nate Grunkemeyer, Josh’s younger brother, is the point guard and the other starters are junior forward Will Houghton and junior guard/forward Harry Fitzpatrick.
Houghton sustained an ankle injury in the first quarter of the Oxford Hills game and didn’t return.
Pinckney said junior center Matt O’Connell and senior center Xzavyur Kelly will get more playing time in Houghton’s absence.
Josh Grunkemeyer, Fitzpatrick and Vigue said the team is trending in the right direction under the new coach.
Pinckney, a Philadelphia native who taught and coached in the Ellsworth school system, is an intense, energetic coach who barks out instructions on virtually every possession, offensively and defensively.
“Everything is way more intense this season,” said Josh Grunkemeyer. “Everbody has bought in. We’re always going hard in practice and (Pinckney) stays on us.
“It’s a bit of a change but it’s a good change,” he added.
Fitzpatrick agreed.
“It’s what we need,” said Fitzpatrick. “We have potential. We have to put the past behind us and focus on what’s ahead of us.”
Vigue said Pinckney has brought in a whole new culture.
Pinckney said his Rams are a work in progress and he has been happy with their effort.
“They have good attitudes,” said Pinckney. “They’re still learning things as far as what’s going on. They’re learning me.”
Pinckney said he and the players are still getting to know each other.
“It’s about culture. I’m really trying to jump the curb. We’re trying to bring a new, different style. I talk to them a little differently in terms of how I’m coaching. They’ve got to get used to that.
“But, at the end of the day, I am pleased. I do think they work hard,” said Pinckney who added that he has heard from referees and other people that have noticed their improved work ethic.
Through two games, the Rams have shown that they like to shoot 3-pointers and they have shot them well.
They were 10-for-17 from long distance against Portland and 9-for-17 against Oxford Hills.
Josh Grunkemeyer has hit seven threes; Vigue has nailed five and Fitzpatrick and Nate Grunkemeyer have hit three apiece.
All four can also hit the mid-range jumper and drive to the rim.
Josh Grunkemeyer is leading the team in scoring with his 12 ½ points per game average. Nate Grunkemeyer and Fitzpatrick are averaging 9 ½ per game and Vigue is at nine.
“Scoring isn’t going to be a problem,” said Pinckney. “It’s about the little things and we aren’t honed in on them just yet. But we’ll get there.”
For example, Oxford Hills outrebounded Bangor 21-15 and forced numerous turnovers with their pressure man-to-man defense that led to easy transition points.
Pinckney has used as many as 12 players in a game.
“We’re still trying to figure out a rotation,” said Pinckney. “We’ve got to get it together. We’ll be figuring things out. But, at the end of the day, you’ve got to compete.
“We’re going to be different. My plan was always to have a different kind of layout. Some games, it might be this guy (who leads us) and other games it might be (another) guy,” said Pinckney, who replaced Brad Libby after Libby stepped down to due to his busy work schedule and desire to spend more time with his family.
Libby guided the Rams to their 13th state title in 2018-19.
Calais High transfer Philip Bassett will be among the valuable reserves as evidenced by his 14 points in the win over Portland.
He is one of several guards who have seen significant minutes off the bench along with sophomores Wyatt Chandler and Matt Roggero and junior Lucas Smith.
Senior forward Ethan Leavitt and junior forward Gavin Glanville-True have seen some playing time along with junior guard Parker Neale.
There are only three seniors on the 19-player roster.
Pinckney has six freshmen on his roster. In addition to Nate Grunkemeyer, they also have Nate O’Donnell, Daxton Gifford, Alex Tennett, Gavin Hughes and Jacoby Harvey.
They will play again on Friday when they visit arch-rival Brewer for a 6:30 p.m. game.
