BANGOR, Maine — Chris Braley spent last summer living with Garet Beal as they trained and worked on their respective basketball skills.
On Saturday afternoon, the two former Maine high school basketball stars opposed each other on the court representing Division I teams.
Braley, a former star at Nokomis High School in Newport, plays on the Stony Brook University squad that handed the University of Maine an 82-39 beating at the Cross Insurance Center.
Beal, a standout at Jonesport-Beals High School, was a starter for the Black Bears.
“It’s fun,” Braley said after the game. “Obviously, we compete a lot when we work out in the summer. He’s (Beal) a great player and he had a good game today (9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal).
He pointed out that the friends actually guarded each other in last season’s game on Long Island, when they both lined up as wing players. Beal is now playing more of a power-forward spot on the defensive end.
Saturday marked Braley’s first game in his home state as a collegian. The 6-foot-5 swing player from Newport did not play during the Seawolves’ trip to Maine last season.
“It was great. The fan support obviously is tremendous up here,” Braley said. “I come from a tight-knit community and it’s really exciting to be able to come up and play in front of those people.”
Braley is sporting a full beard the likes of which would make Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli proud. He is working hard to earn playing time for a Stony Brook squad that features plenty of talent.
Through 18 games, Braley is averaging 1.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per contest.
“Really, I’m just trying to find my role whether it’s a ‘glue’ guy swinging the ball or getting a basket when needed,” he explained. “I think one of my strengths is rebounding, so I’ve been good at that when I’ve been in the game.”
Stony Brook coach Steve Pikiell likes what he has seen from Braley in 1 ½ seasons.
“He plays hard, I love him,” Pikiell said. “Great family. Great kid. A worker.”
He said Braley can rebound, hit the 3-pointer and provides toughness.
“His defense is getting better,” Pikiell said. “Certainly he’s growing and expecting to be a real good contributor for the next two years, including this year. He’s doing a good job coming off the bench giving us some energy, giving us a lift.”
Braley, who is a health sciences major at Stony Brook, is happy to be part of a successful program.
“It’s a great program and we’ve just got to take that next step and make it to the (NCAA) tournament, which obviously is the ultimate goal for every team.”