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Men's Basketball

2009-10

2009-10 Season Summary

Fans of the Memorial Sea~Hawks men’s basketball team can expect an improved team once again this season as the core of the team has put in an intense summer of training. This, combined with the fact that the team is welcoming some added size and athleticism, should make for a winning recipe.

Head coach Peter Benoite is back for his second season at the helm of the program. In 2008-09 Benoite inherited the program late in the summer, minimizing his ability to recruit and train his athletes. With a full offseason under his belt, Benoite has high expectations heading into the season. Assistants Martin Cull and Evan Constantine will also return, giving the coaching staff stability that it has not seen in a number of years.

Leading Memorial this year will be third year wing and team captain Jason Shepherd. The Nova Scotian has continually improved over his varsity career, bringing intensity on defense and the ability to pass, shoot and drive on offense. Joining Shepherd on the wing will be sophomores Robbie Habib and Mike Quigley and rookies Mike Helsby, Jordan Constantine and Justin Grainger. Habib as deep range and a quick release that, when he is on, can light up the scoreboard. Helsby is a 6’4 rookie from Waterloo that has the tools to make an immediate contribution to the lineup. The athletic Grainger, widely regarded as the top high school player in Newfoundland last year, will surely be a crowd favourite.

Down low sophomore Steven Earles will be relied upon to carry a heavier load this season. He has put in a solid summer of training and is looking forward to an increased role. He will have added help with the arrival of Ante Samodol, a German native who comes to Memorial after expending two years of eligibility in North Dakota. Samodol is an athletic 6’7 post that will team with Earles to give Memorial a better interior presence. Rookie big man Alex Harding, a 6’6 native of Bridgewater will provide relief in the post as he begins his varsity career.

At the guard position supporters will notice familiar faces this season. 4th year Manny Wilby is coming off a fine 2008-09 season while 3rd year Justin Penney also returns. The duo will quarterback the team, with both having plenty of opportunity to make an impact. 4th year Mark Woodland also returns at the guard position. Woodland is a talented shooter with the ability to create his own shot. Also returning in the backcourt are second years Matthew Cleary, Ryan McCluskey and the currently injured James Saxby.
Holy Heart graduates Sean Murphy and Brad Bambrick will be red shirts this season.

Coach Benoite feels that the team will no longer take people off guard. He said, “We are bigger, stronger, and more athletic then we were last year. With a year of experience, and given that guys are starting to get comfortable, I feel we are well positioned to have a very positive season.”