Chautauqua Hurricane guard Larry Rivers (2) is shown during a game this season at Brocton High School. Rivers is the longest tenured player of the Hurricane. OBSERVER Photo by Ron Szot.

In the middle of one of the most successful seasons in program history, the Chautauqua Hurricane pro basketball team appeared in the running for its first league championship. Then, it all came to a screeching halt because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We really had high hopes this year. We were excited,” said Hurricane coach Jerome Moss.

Moss cited how the team sat in first place with a record of 11-3 at the time of the cancellation of the season. The Hurricane also cleared a hurdle when it beat the Rochester Razorsharks for the first time in program history. Chautauqua appeared to be “gearing up for playoffs,” according to Moss and owner Sixto Rosario.

“I feel so bad for the guys on the team,” said Moss, citing how a big showing in the playoffs could help his players make the jump to a higher profile league. “… At this level, the guys work at it all the time. They really put the work in to get better. … But in the playoffs, that’s when they’re really looking at you,” he added.

Moss cited a few players who made big strides for the team this season. He pointed to center Kofi Mills as “a guy who has a motor that never stops running” and noted how “teams had a really tough time with him.”

The longest tenured Hurricane player was Larry Rivers, who returned this year and was a key piece offensively and as a leader. Moss pointed to “how much [Rivers] matured this year, on and off the court. He’s really matured into a great young man.”

While it is too early to know what the future holds for the Hurricane, the players have highlight tapes to send to any team interested once the worldwide hiatus from sports is lifted. Moss thanks all of the fans for their support during what was one of the most successful seasons the program has had, even though it ended far too soon.

“We would like to thank the fans we had supporting us this year. We hope even more come out to support us next year,” said Moss.