Things Come Full Circle In Stapleton's 200th Victory

BROCKTON, Mass. ---- Back in 2001, then first-year head coach Jim Stapleton picked up his first victory leading the Massasoit men's basketball team. Little did he know that 13 years later things would come full circle when he earned his 200th victory.

That first win for Stapleton came at home against rival Dean College, claiming the contest 64-46 on November 15, 2001. Last week, Stapleton earned his 200th victory, as guard Chris Green hit a jump shot with three seconds left to upset the 5th-ranked Dean Bulldogs, 73-72 in Franklin.

"Jim has been a great coach for us for a long time," Athletics Director Julie Mulvey said. "He is fiery and very passionate and tries to get the best and the most out of the kids. We are very proud of Jim for reaching this milestone and wish him continued success coaching our men's basketball program."

Stapleton currently owns a record of 200-123 as head man of the Warriors, which are the most wins in program history. In fact, Stapleton is only the second Massasoit men's basketball coach to eclipse 100 wins, let alone 200, the other being Warriors' Hall of Famer Rico Cabral who totaled 105 wins from 1987-1992.

In his first year at Massasoit, Stapleton's team posted a 9-14 record. Since then, the Warriors have been one of the strongest teams in the region, capturing the Massachusetts Community College Athletic Conference Championship four times.  Three of those state championships came in a row from 2003-04 to 2005-06. The Warriors also won the state championship in 2010-11 and went on to capture the Region XXI Championship for the first time in program lore.

Stapleton has shown great consistency at Massasoit, posting a record of .500 or better in 11 of 12 years, reaching 17 or more wins seven times and twice had 20 win seasons.

Massasoit is currently 10-9 in 2013-14 and fighting for one of four spots to compete in the MCCAC State Tournament with three regular season games left on the season.