New LondonAll of their training, their first-rate college education, their military discipline - even the real-time decision-making required of the sport they play - didn't prepare them for this.

All of their training, their first-rate college education, their military discipline - even the real-time decision-making required of the sport they play - didn't prepare them for this.Because there is no preparation for death.

Because there is no preparation for death."From March until Oct. 15 (the first day of practice), I dreaded coming on this court," Melissa Martinelli said Monday night. "I didn't know how I could handle it. I'm so surprised at how this season has gone. It's amazing to me how people can come to practice every day and make the decision to be positive."

"From March until Oct. 15 (the first day of practice), I dreaded coming on this court," Melissa Martinelli said Monday night. "I didn't know how I could handle it. I'm so surprised at how this season has gone. It's amazing to me how people can come to practice every day and make the decision to be positive."And this is the story of Coast Guard Academy women's basketball.

And this is the story of Coast Guard Academy women's basketball.This is the story of Martinelli, who has become the program's career scoring and rebounding leader.

This is the story of Martinelli, who has become the program's career scoring and rebounding leader.This is the story of life, and how being positive is a daily decision, and how inspiration grew from despair.

This is the story of life, and how being positive is a daily decision, and how inspiration grew from despair.It was about 11 months ago, mid-March, when the academy learned that Alex Simonka, the business manager and women's basketball coach, died. It was later ruled a suicide. There are no words to explain it. There never will be.

It was about 11 months ago, mid-March, when the academy learned that Alex Simonka, the business manager and women's basketball coach, died. It was later ruled a suicide. There are no words to explain it. There never will be.Simonka was a Coast Guard guy. A graduate. Its biggest fan. And among the loved ones he left behind were his players.

Simonka was a Coast Guard guy. A graduate. Its biggest fan. And among the loved ones he left behind were his players."I don't know if I can explain it," Martinelli said Monday night, a happy Monday night, because the Bears had just beaten city rival Mitchell, 59-56. "Coach Simonka didn't just interact with the team from 4 to 6 every day when we practiced. He was always there.

"I don't know if I can explain it," Martinelli said Monday night, a happy Monday night, because the Bears had just beaten city rival Mitchell, 59-56. "Coach Simonka didn't just interact with the team from 4 to 6 every day when we practiced. He was always there."We go through a lot of physical tests here and he was always there supporting us," she said. "If we got in trouble, he supported us. He touched all of our lives in a lot of different ways. It was the first time I ever went through a rough time and he wasn't there to talk to."

"We go through a lot of physical tests here and he was always there supporting us," she said. "If we got in trouble, he supported us. He touched all of our lives in a lot of different ways. It was the first time I ever went through a rough time and he wasn't there to talk to."Tomorrow, however, showed up. Many tomorrows. There would be a season. But would there be a real season?

Tomorrow, however, showed up. Many tomorrows. There would be a season. But would there be a real season?Enter Coast Guard captain Rick Gaines, a chemistry professor on campus, who volunteered to coach the team. How ironic, and how inspiring, that in trying to make sense of death, Gaines has been through a life-changing experience.

Enter Coast Guard captain Rick Gaines, a chemistry professor on campus, who volunteered to coach the team. How ironic, and how inspiring, that in trying to make sense of death, Gaines has been through a life-changing experience."Going through a tragedy, you have a fear the kids won't find a way beyond it," Gaines said. "But basketball has done it for us. It's helped us all evolve. It's a great example of how a family can get you through. We've gone through it together."

"Going through a tragedy, you have a fear the kids won't find a way beyond it," Gaines said. "But basketball has done it for us. It's helped us all evolve. It's a great example of how a family can get you through. We've gone through it together."Then Gaines cracked a wry grin and said, "You know, I've never been much of a hugger. But I'm a big hugger now."

Then Gaines cracked a wry grin and said, "You know, I've never been much of a hugger. But I'm a big hugger now."Martinelli, who was born in Hawaii and grew up in Vero Beach, Fla., eclipsed 1,800 points on Monday night, a game in which she fouled out. The Bears are 6-16, not the most memorable record in school history. But maybe the most memorable season for the players and coaches.

Martinelli, who was born in Hawaii and grew up in Vero Beach, Fla., eclipsed 1,800 points on Monday night, a game in which she fouled out. The Bears are 6-16, not the most memorable record in school history. But maybe the most memorable season for the players and coaches."Capt. Gaines has stepped up in such a graceful manner," Martinelli said. "He has such a calming demeanor about him. And he's gone through his own tragedy (the death of his father). But his strength and calmness leads this team. This season could have gone so many different ways."

"Capt. Gaines has stepped up in such a graceful manner," Martinelli said. "He has such a calming demeanor about him. And he's gone through his own tragedy (the death of his father). But his strength and calmness leads this team. This season could have gone so many different ways."Coast Guard's win on Monday gave the Bears the unofficial city women's basketball title. They're 2-0 against Conn and Mitchell. They played much of this game without Martinelli, who has been averaging 27 points per game this month. And they won by three, perhaps the three points scored by senior Sabrina Taylor, who made a near-halfcourt shot to end the first half.

Coast Guard's win on Monday gave the Bears the unofficial city women's basketball title. They're 2-0 against Conn and Mitchell. They played much of this game without Martinelli, who has been averaging 27 points per game this month. And they won by three, perhaps the three points scored by senior Sabrina Taylor, who made a near-halfcourt shot to end the first half."They've been shooting from too close all year," athletic director Ray Cieplik cracked.

"They've been shooting from too close all year," athletic director Ray Cieplik cracked.And when the night ended, one of the officials leaving Merriman Gym complimented Gaines on his pink tie. Martinelli even helped put the chairs away. The players smiled. Indeed, they have turned a wretched situation into a season to remember, because they chose to stay together and be positive.

And when the night ended, one of the officials leaving Merriman Gym complimented Gaines on his pink tie. Martinelli even helped put the chairs away. The players smiled. Indeed, they have turned a wretched situation into a season to remember, because they chose to stay together and be positive.Remember that one and write it down. Because it doesn't just apply to sports: Stay together and be positive.

Remember that one and write it down. Because it doesn't just apply to sports: Stay together and be positive."Any time you get cynical about the world," Gaines said, "just spend some time around these kids. You'll be optimistic about where the country is going."

"Any time you get cynical about the world," Gaines said, "just spend some time around these kids. You'll be optimistic about where the country is going."This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.