The Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams are gearing up for an exciting season of play. Since November 1, each team has faced a grueling preseason with a focus on the work necessary to bring about a successful season.
With their first games fast approaching this coming weekend, both teams are finalizing their short preseason and moving into game mode.
For their season opener, the men will play in the Manhattanville Tournament starting Friday, November 20, while the women will play in the UMass Dartmouth Tip Off Tournament.
Last season, Men’s Basketball went 13-12 overall, 2-7 in NESCAC. This season they are hoping to push past that record, with a special emphasis on NESCAC games. Head Coach Tom Satran is returning for his eighth season with the Camels and is assisted by recent alumnus Matt Fava ’09.
The team is a very young team this season, with only one senior on the squad. Shavar Bernier ’10 has earned the role of captain and will be a standout player this season. Returning sophomore, Demetrius Porter was named NESCAC Basketball Rookie of the Year and is hoping to leave another lasting impression at the end of this season. He averaged 13.9 points per game, and can be expected to tally points for the Camels again this season.
As for most Connecticut College teams, the men have set a goal to make the NESCAC Tournament at the end of the season. As they have qualified for the past two consecutive seasons, the Tournament should be an attainable goal.
Last winter, the Women’s team was 8-16, 0-9 in NESCAC. This year, however, a new coach, Brian Wilson, is leading the team.
Wilson, who was the former associate head coach at Holy Cross, joins the Camels with the hopes of rejuvenating the program. He ultimately wants to bring the team to a level of high competition in NESCAC.
Christie Herbst, who is in her second season as the Camels assistant coach, will help Wilson improve the program. While last season had some less-than-ideal results for the Camels, the team hopes that with a new coach and the same intense work ethic that they have consistently portrayed, they will walk away with more wins this year.
Several standout returners are expected to continue to make an impact on the court for the Camels. Jennifer and Jacqueline Shinall, who caught the attention of the school last season as freshman starters, are returning guards for the team.
Last January, Jennifer Shinall was named to the New England Women’s Basketball Association (NEWBA) Weekly Honor Roll for her role in leading the team to victories over Pine Manor College, Johnson and Wales and Eastern Nazarene.
Additionally, seniors Rita Holak and Emily Cummings are expected to continue to help the Camels succeed on the court. Like the men’s team, the women’s team goal is making the NESCAC tournament for postseason play.
The men host their first home game against Eastern Connecticut State University on Sunday, November 29 at 3 PM. The women’s first home game is Tuesday, December 1, against Western Connecticut State University at 7 PM.
For a full schedule, go to www.conncoll.edu/athletics.
