Flores, Marist Run Through MAAC
by Ray Floriani
ALBANY, N.Y. – Shortly after the women’s semifinals Nikki Flores was asked who she rooted for in the past Super Bowl. “The Giants,” she said smiling, “I’m a big Giants fan.”
The question was directed to the Marist point guard to see if she might be feeling any pressure facing a situation similar to the New England Patriots. Her Marist Red Foxes had just defeated St. Peter’s 78-67 to advance to the championship. And Marist, which swept through the MAAC season unblemished, was entering the title game in search of a championship repeat and perfection.
The pressure, to Flores, is something that has been present for quite some time. She knows it’s there but it doesn’t get to her. “We feel like there’s been a target on our back the last three years in conference play,” the senior from Montvale, N.J. said. “Now it’s getting to be on a national level as teams find out more about us. But that’s all right. You feel it (pressure) and know it’s there but you can’t let it bother you.”
Beating Ohio State and getting to the Sweet 16 a year ago raised the nation’s attention toward the Marist women’s program. After winning 29 games a year ago, coach Brian Giorgis wondered what his team could do for an encore. Simple: win 30. The semifinal win was number 30 and 31 would come about 24 hours later with a MAAC title game victory over Iona.
This Marist team has size, shooters and basketball intelligence. The catalyst of the group is the diminutive Flores. She is 5-4 in height but immeasurable in heart. She came to the interview room after the St. Peter’s game with her arm iced. “Nothing really,” she said, “just some ice.” The ankles, tender since high school days, are always taped. Regardless, she wouldn’t miss a minute running the club, penetrating, dishing to a teammate or burying an important shot on the perimeter. Flores finished third on the team in scoring this season with just over 9 points per game and handed out 92 assists, second to Julianne Viani. The stats do not do justice to her value.
“Nikki will you run something, please”. Coach Giorgis’ voice bellows through the sparsely attended Times Union Center. A Marist possession has just resulted in a poor shot early in the St. Peter’s game. The exchange between coach and player is nothing new or negative.
“I have to be an extension of coach (Giorgis) on the Floor,” Flores said. “I have to be a quarterback out there. He expects a lot of me and gets vocal but that’s fine. I expect that and accept it.” About the only thing Flores doesn’t accept is a sub-par effort from herself and/or teammates.
The Marist women have simply captured the Hudson Valley region’s affection. On Sunday it was a third straight MAAC title. The women in the program are afforded celebrity status, and autograph requests are common in the Poughkeepsie, N.Y. area. Flores recognizes this in saying, “the community support is unbelievable.” But she also notes, “We are role models to the younger kids and players.” You couldn’t find better role models on or off the floor, starting with Flores herself.
