The Montreal Alliance announced Wednesday that Derrick Alston Sr would act as head coach of the team this year. THE coach American will therefore be in his second campaign with the Allies, the season of which will begin in a few weeks.
Other good news: his coaching staff will remain intact, with assistants Charles Dubé-Brais, Ryan Thorne, Jeff Dosado, Vincent Plante and Quesly-Marie Noresias who will also be back on the bench.
After leading his team to only four victories in 20 outings in the summer of 2022, Vincent Lavandier gave way to Alston Sr in 2023 who almost doubled the number of wins for the Montreal club, with a record of 7- 13. However, the Alliance still finished the campaign in last place in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
The organization of Annie Larouche and Joel Anthony will certainly try to leave the failures of the past in the rearview mirror during this imminent season. The club’s current roster includes a total of nine players under contract, including seven Quebecers and two Americans.
Alston Sr’s experience before and after his time at the helm of Montreal in 2023 includes the position of head coach of the Pioneros de Los Mochis in Mexico, the position of assistant with the College Park Skyhawks and that of head coach of the Westchester Knicks in the G League.
For his part, Dubé-Brais, who served as head coach of the Ottawa BlackJacks for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, is back as assistant general manager and as principal assistant to Derrick Alston Sr. Le Québécois of origin currently manages the Beer Leopards in Taiwan, where he coaches DeMarcus Cousins, formerly of the NBA, along with Jeff Dosado, also an assistant for the Alliance.
Ryan Thorne, lui coach of the McGill men’s basketball program during the off-season, returned as an assistant coach for his third consecutive season with the Allies.
On Thursday, May 23, the Allies will play their first match of the calendar, a duel on enemy territory against the Vancouver Bandits, then will welcome the Edmonton Stingers to the Verdun Auditorium on May 30 for the home opener, after their training camp which will begin on May 14.
The summer of 2024 should bring more success for the Montreal collective, which has never tasted the playoffs before. This time, as the team will play the role of host at the Championship Weekend, they will automatically obtain their ticket, which means a guaranteed participation in the semi-final.
To learn more about the Alliance and the LECB:
Liam Houde