New London - Beleaguered would be one way to describe Tom Satran as he emerged from the locker room Monday night. The man looked in desperate need of a nice glass of wine, maybe a cigar and some jazz playing in the background. And to think his team won.

And to think his team won. Welcome to coaching.

Welcome to coaching.So how to brighten Satran's mood, other than to remind him that his Connecticut College Camels just won the Route 32/Mr. G's Bowl over Coast Guard?

So how to brighten Satran's mood, other than to remind him that his Connecticut College Camels just won the Route 32/Mr. G's Bowl over Coast Guard? Just get the man going on senior guard Shavar Bernier, Mr. Conn College. Tom Satran, often understated, does not gush much. Until he discusses Mr. Conn. Then he becomes volcanic.

Just get the man going on senior guard Shavar Bernier, Mr. Conn College. Tom Satran, often understated, does not gush much. Until he discusses Mr. Conn. Then he becomes volcanic."I like everything about him," he said. "He's the hardest working kid we ever had. He's the best leader. He's the best person. He's the toughest kid. He's the best defender. He's the most liked on campus. He's the best kid I've ever coached and probably will be the best kid I ever coach."

"I like everything about him," he said. "He's the hardest working kid we ever had. He's the best leader. He's the best person. He's the toughest kid. He's the best defender. He's the most liked on campus. He's the best kid I've ever coached and probably will be the best kid I ever coach."This is Shavar Bernier: The kid who paid his way through prep school for a shot at college. The kid who lives and works on campus all summer and lifts and plays pickup games. The kid whose magnetic qualities have stretched beyond campus, all the way into Waterford, where youth basketball players showed up en masse to watch Bernier go for his 1,000th career point Monday night.

This is Shavar Bernier: The kid who paid his way through prep school for a shot at college. The kid who lives and works on campus all summer and lifts and plays pickup games. The kid whose magnetic qualities have stretched beyond campus, all the way into Waterford, where youth basketball players showed up en masse to watch Bernier go for his 1,000th career point Monday night.Bernier said he's worked with the Waterford kids "a few times." And their regard for him is so profound that even a team mother, Susan Purtill, took the time to make a special cake congratulating Bernier in case he scored No. 1,000. Purtill authored one of those Ace Of Cakes deals, complete with Bernier's photo on it and everything.

Bernier said he's worked with the Waterford kids "a few times." And their regard for him is so profound that even a team mother, Susan Purtill, took the time to make a special cake congratulating Bernier in case he scored No. 1,000. Purtill authored one of those Ace Of Cakes deals, complete with Bernier's photo on it and everything.Bernier settled for 13 points and 11 rebounds, six points shy of 1,000, although his ravenous teammates were in the midst of inhaling cake after the game.

Bernier settled for 13 points and 11 rebounds, six points shy of 1,000, although his ravenous teammates were in the midst of inhaling cake after the game. Satran knew why it was his locker room that was celebrating the Mr. G's Bowl title and not lamenting some couldas, shouldas and wouldas.

Satran knew why it was his locker room that was celebrating the Mr. G's Bowl title and not lamenting some couldas, shouldas and wouldas."It's Shavar And the Miracles every time we win," Satran said.

"It's Shavar And the Miracles every time we win," Satran said.Bernier's path to Conn began after high school in Dover, N.H., where he was living with his grandmother. He said he couldn't go to college immediately because he was a "knucklehead." And so he worked construction and as a counselor at a recreation center just to pay for Bridgton Academy in Maine, a New England prep school that has sent many players to college.

Bernier's path to Conn began after high school in Dover, N.H., where he was living with his grandmother. He said he couldn't go to college immediately because he was a "knucklehead." And so he worked construction and as a counselor at a recreation center just to pay for Bridgton Academy in Maine, a New England prep school that has sent many players to college."We had kids on our team saying they were going to the NBA," Bernier said. "I was like, 'Hey, I just want to go to college.'"

"We had kids on our team saying they were going to the NBA," Bernier said. "I was like, 'Hey, I just want to go to college.'"Bernier finished with a 3.7 grade point average at Bridgton and chose Conn because he liked the homey feel of the campus and basketball program. He also noted Satran's honesty.

Bernier finished with a 3.7 grade point average at Bridgton and chose Conn because he liked the homey feel of the campus and basketball program. He also noted Satran's honesty."He said that I'd have to earn everything I got here," Bernier said. "No guarantees. I liked that. That's real."

"He said that I'd have to earn everything I got here," Bernier said. "No guarantees. I liked that. That's real."Bernier and the Camels were in the midst of squandering a double-digit lead Monday night when he airballed a baseline jumper. The Coast Guard loyalists in attendance serenaded him with the old

Bernier and the Camels were in the midst of squandering a double-digit lead Monday night when he airballed a baseline jumper. The Coast Guard loyalists in attendance serenaded him with the old "airrrrrballll, airrrrrballll" chant forthwith. They even did that with 35 seconds left and Bernier at the line in a one-point game. He made them both."I couldn't believe I airballed that," he said. "I make that shot every day in practice. Legit. I'll take 50 of them (today)."

"I couldn't believe I airballed that," he said. "I make that shot every day in practice. Legit. I'll take 50 of them (today)."Satran would bet on more than 50.

Satran would bet on more than 50."I'll be here on a Saturday morning in August and with the sun burning down on him, he'll be doing 200-yard dashes," Satran said. "Then he'll lift weights and go find a pickup game at St. Thomas More."

"I'll be here on a Saturday morning in August and with the sun burning down on him, he'll be doing 200-yard dashes," Satran said. "Then he'll lift weights and go find a pickup game at St. Thomas More."Bernier was looking forward to more relaxing pursuits Monday, excited about meeting teammates at Applebee's after the game.

Bernier was looking forward to more relaxing pursuits Monday, excited about meeting teammates at Applebee's after the game. "Two (meals) for $20," he said, alluding to an economical dinner plan.

"Two (meals) for $20," he said, alluding to an economical dinner plan.Before he left, however, Bernier said that conference play opens this weekend. And while beating Coast Guard is sweet, the NCAA tournament is the goal.

Before he left, however, Bernier said that conference play opens this weekend. And while beating Coast Guard is sweet, the NCAA tournament is the goal."I know (New London native and former Conn great) Dwayne Stallings really well," Bernier said. "He never lets me forget about what's been done here."

"I know (New London native and former Conn great) Dwayne Stallings really well," Bernier said. "He never lets me forget about what's been done here."

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.