By: Liam W. Cooney | Staff Writer
After a highly successful 2021-2022 campaign, the Salve Regina Men’s Basketball team is aiming for a similar run this winter 2022-2023. Falling just short of a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) championship last year, the Seahawks compiled a 21-7 overall record, 14-4 within conference. With that amount of success, we can expect the Seahawks to hold high expectations for themselves again this year, evident by head coach, Sean Foster.
Foster told me that even after losing fifth-year students and 1,000 point scorers Kevin Kelly and Cam Collins, their goals have not changed. Those overall team goals are not only winning the conference and reaching the NCAA tournament, but also hosting conference tournament games along the way. “We will again rely heavily on fifth-year graduate student, Mikey Spencer, for leadership and offensive production,” Foster told me in an interview.
A welcomed return for Seahawk basketball fans, in interviewing Spencer he told me how excited he was to run it back for one more season. Telling me it was a “no brainer” he would opt to return for one more year, also stating how his and the team’s goal is to get right back to where they were last February 26th. “Everyone knows how much effort it’s going to take to get there. Our team emphasizes showing up to practice everyday, giving everything we have, and improving as one,” Spencer said.
Assisting Spencer with some returning production will be Declan Walmsley (So.), Clay Brochu (Jr.), Joseph Powers (So.), Ryan St. Clair (Jr.) and James Jolly (So). Walmsley and Brochu will certainly have their roles elevated, as underclassmen last season being two of the more potent shooters on the roster, 41% and 40% from the field, respectively.
As for newcomer support, Coach Foster tells me there are three particular first-years poised to make an impact, such as Cooper Limric, 6’8″ post player from Glastonbury, CT, Vincent Ferarri, 6’0″ point guard from San Diego, CA and Jack McMullen, a combo guard from East Greenwich, RI. The ability for these first-years to fill those spots left by departures Cameron Collins, Andrew Richards, Kevin Kelly, and Chris Peasley, will be huge in the Seahawks getting back to championship level.
The team opens up their season this Wednesday, November 9th at Eastern Nazarene, with the home opener being Tuesday, November 15th vs. UMass Boston. On Wednesday, January 18th, the Nichols Bison will come into Newport for a rematch of last year’s CCC championship game.
Be sure to show support and PACK THE NEST this 2022-2023 season.
ROCK CHALK SEAHAWK
Photos by George Corrigan ’22 www.gcorrphotos.com
