PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It has been a tremendous season thus far for the Division III Gwynedd Mercy University men’s basketball team in Montgomery County.
The Griffins set a program record by starting the season with 13 straight wins, and they are currently enjoying a 15-2 record. Gwynedd Mercy averages 86 points a game while allowing just 68, and the Griffins force opponents into 20 turnovers a game.
Head coach John Baron said what happens off the court is key to their success.
“I think a lot of times, coaches say these cliche things, but we spent a lot of time on culture,” he said. “I think chemistry among guys playing for each other, as a lot of coaches say, but developing a very fun and yet family-oriented culture has made us playing on the court a much better atmosphere.”
Baron has been the head coach of the Griffins since 2002. On Jan. 11, he picked up his 400th career win when his squad slipped past Immaculata, 84-83.
“It’s 22 years of great families trusting me with their sons,” he said of the milestone. “And then working with a lot of really good coaches that help us cultivate the talents and cultivate the chemistry of all of these kids that we’ve had over the years into a really good family.”
Baron’s Griffins return to action on Saturday with a visit to Neumann University.