With the end of the NBA lockout nowhere in sight, college basketball ratings have seen quite a boost and will surely increase as time passes. With the winter sports season well on its way at Connecticut College, the CC basketball programs are expecting “higher ratings,” as well in the form of support from the Connecticut College community and extended fan base.
The women’s team begins the year with a new vigor and zeal that began brewing last season but is now in full effect. The team had a tumultuous season last year. They lost close games and valuable players mid-season, but they didn’t lose their passion and perseverance. They rallied to a NESCAC win, the first for the women’s program in quite a while, and they showed us a spark of what to expect this season.
The women came out full throttle to begin this season pulling out a win in a scrimmage against of Salve Regina. The Camels had a rocky start in the intense battle, but guard Kacie Quick ’13 entered the game and put the Camels on the scoreboard with a 3-point shot after coming off the bench. Senior guard Jenn Shinall matched the efforts of her fiery teammate to seal the win with another clutch 3-point shot. The women proved in this scrimmage that they mean business. They should expect to bring crowds of Camel fans to their feet by playing the way we’ve seen them play thus far.
Co-captain Brian Mahoney '12 will help lead the Camel men this season (photo from web)
The men’s team has a similar fire present within their ranks. Though the team is rather young overall, they have pulled in the reins and switched gears since last season. The team has been laboring through arduous workouts, intense conditioning and even three-hour-long practices. They have been truly showing that age doesn’t limit skill.
The two seniors of the team, co-captains Brian Mahoney and Bobby Bellotti, are incredibly skilled both offensively and defensively and have consistently proved that they belong in leadership positions. The pair receives a great amount of admiration and respect from their teammates and will surely lead the team through a season of victories.
During practices, the men encourage each other and celebrate one another’s accomplishments. They constantly push each other to give as much effort as they can on the court and in the classroom. As the season goes on, chemistry continues to build and the team grows together, we fans can expect a heightened caliber of play from the team and a season of success.
Both teams opened up the season this weekend. The men’s team battled Babson College and Fisher College. They suffered a tough 61-51 loss to Babson. The Camels held the lead early in the second half, however, a late push by the Beavers proved too much for Conn to handle. Matt Vadas ’14 lead the team in scoring with 16 points and added six rebounds. Junior Rob Harrigan finished with 12 points and four boards. Against Fisher, the men had a similar result, battling hard but falling short in the end, 70-61. Jethro Anilus ’14 scored 13 points for the Camels and added two assists.
The Camel women competed against Albany College of Pharmacy and Emerson College. The team had an impressive 78-43 victory over Albany College of Pharmacy. Jenn Shinall ’12 lead the team with a game high 22 points and added five steals. Carlee Smith ’15 had an impressive 10 assists to go along with five points and two steals. The lady Camels finished the weekend off with a 66-51 win against Emerson. Tara Gabelman ’14 led the Camels in scoring with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Shinall had another strong performace, putting up 13 points and eight boards.
While the men did not fare as well as the women, both teams have been putting in hard work and building team chemistry to get in the win column this winter season. •
