Rivers playing his role proudly with Trailblazers

James Rivers got cut his freshman year. He took that time to work on his game. He'd meet high school rival Kris McLaughlin his sophomore year. The two rivals would push each other to do well during a forgettable season.

Rivers, who is from Dalton, Mass., has played shooting guard for the last three years. Like his best friend and teammate McLaughlin, Rivers looks back on a bad sophomore season as a big game-changer for his career, and on the progress the basketball team has made over the past few years.

"That was a big character-building year, because we were so bad, really," Rivers said. "Everybody knew we were bad, but we didn't let it affect us. We didn't have any kind of problems or anything. Now we're competing for a conference spot."

Rivers looks back on his time here fondly.

"The program has come a really long way," he added.

Record-wise, the team has made a U-turn over the past few seasons. Still, Rivers insists one of his favorite moments on the court comes from his sophomore season, against Worcester State.

"I had sat about 38 minutes, and coach finally put me in, and I came in and scored five points in like 30 seconds," Rivers said. "That gave me a lot confidence."

Rivers recalls kicking a chair out of frustration in a game against Bridgewater State his junior year as a disappointing moment, but nothing is as sad to him as Jon Greenberg's injury this past week before the playoffs.

On a more positive note, though, Rivers will graduate this fall with a Sports Management Major and a Coaching Minor. Rivers has learned invaluable career lessons from listening to and being around Coach Jamie Morrison.

"The relationship [with Morrison] has gotten a lot stronger. His biggest thing is that he holds everybody accountable for their actions. He treats everyone equally," Rivers said.

"James is the best. I cut him his first year and thought that would be that, he came back the next year in great shape and earned a spot. He has been a valuable bench guy who has earned time in some big spots the past two seasons, including two big free throws to put the game away versus New England College this season. New England College was undefeated at the time; the kid just has ice in his veins." Coach Morrison said.

Rivers also reflects on a good team bond and good friendships with housemates McLaughlin and Chris Cassels.

"We've lived with each other for a couple years now," Rivers said. "We can relate because we are not the superstars on the team. I'm pretty close with everybody on the team though. I'm like the team comedian, I guess."

As his last season comes to a close, Rivers thinks about what has made his time here special. For one thing, his parents and aunt have made most of his games due to the short drive. The team, specifically practice, also holds a special place in his memory.

"I'm going to miss practice the most," Rivers said. "Usually I'm on the scout team that plays against the starters. I get to go against the first team and help them improve, make them better, which is something I have always taken a lot of pride in. Everybody has their own roles; I fill mine."

Rivers plans on pursuing basketball coaching once he gets his diploma this fall.

 (Costia Carolinski/MCLA Beacon)