ORONO, Maine — Garet Beal never had any illusions about playing Division I basketball.
Coming out of Jonesport-Beals High School, a school with fewer than 100 students that competes in Class D, he knew it would be his Down East work ethic, as much as his ability, that would determine his impact at the University of Maine.
The 6-foot-5 sophomore hopes to demonstrate his resolve again Wednesday night when the struggling Black Bears take on Vermont in a 7 p.m. America East game at the Portland Expo.
Since missing the first four games of the season because of a concussion, Beal has averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds in almost 22 minutes per game for first-year UMaine head coach Bob Walsh.
“He’s a really tough kid, a really dedicated, committed kid, and we need a lot more of that,” Walsh said after practice on Monday afternoon.
Beal, whose toughness and resolve already have been tested, knows he can’t take anything for granted. Every day, he steps onto the court knowing it could be his last practice or game.
The Beals Island native appears to be healthy after suffering a concussion before UMaine’s Nov. 15 opener at Butler. Beal knocked heads with a teammate during practice and subbed out briefly, but felt that he was OK.
“I went back in and I was confused. I was like, oh ——, something’s not right,” recounted Beal, who subsequently was diagnosed with a concussion.
He was dizzy, nauseous and experienced headaches that forced him to stop not only basketball, but just about everything else. He was unable to attend class or perform many normal activities.
“I couldn’t use my phone, I couldn’t listen to music, I couldn’t do anything. My head hurt that bad,” Beal said. “I’d come to practice and just the sound of the balls bouncing would make me sick.”
Under the close supervision of UMaine’s athletic trainers and medical staff, he waited it out.
Beal was periodically put through concussion protocols that tested his ability to think and process information clearly. He did not attend classes for the better part of three weeks.
“It’s tough. You miss a lot of work,” he said. “Thankfully, all my teachers were understanding.”
Beal was bothered that he was not able to practice and train with his teammates. He felt as though he was letting them down.
“You want to be there for your teammates and you can’t — at all,” he said.
Beal conceded the concussion was the fourth or fifth he has suffered, although it was his first while at UMaine. Three of them occurred during AAU play.
With increased awareness and emphasis on diagnosing and treating head injuries in sports, he is well aware that his basketball future and his long-term health could be at risk.
“If I get one or two more, it could be serious,” Beal said. “It’s hard.”
He is thankful that even the slightest blow to his head results in an immediate visit from assistant athletic trainer Michelle Hayes.
The concussion did slow his progress early in the season, but has not dampened his enthusiasm or his physical style of play.
“He has no problem putting his body on people and getting in the mix on the glass and playing to contact,” Walsh said.
Beal’s scoring and rebounding averages are up, but his shooting percentages have slipped. And he often is his own worst critic.
“When he makes a mistake or he struggles, he tends to be pretty hard on himself,” Walsh said.
Beal is working on maintaining a positive play-to-play approach and developing his skills. The team’s main emphasis continues to be defense.
“I have so much pride in Maine and I want to win games. I want to share it with these guys,” he said.
Despite a few jolts here and there, Beal has managed to avoid further head injury problems.
“He seems to be one of those guys that sticks his nose in there and catches a few (shots to the head),” Walsh said.
Beal admitted there were some short-term psychological repercussions from the concussion in terms of how he approached the game.
“I was thinking, ‘I can’t get hit again. I can’t get hit again,’” he said. “Finally, I was like whatever: I’ve got four years. I’ve just got to go out and play hard and make the most of it.”
Beal has demonstrated the ability to play on the perimeter or inside, where he has been utilized of late as more of a power forward.
“His versatility is really valuable,” Walsh said.
The Black Bears, who are off to a 1-12 start, are working toward establishing a winning culture under a new coaching staff with high expectations for commitment, high effort and intensity.
“It’s something that we’re not used to, but to change what’s happening, that has to happen,” Beal said of the rebuilding process.
“Losing is hard. It will turn around.”