NPH CIS Team Preview: Memorial Sea Hawks
Last Season
| Overall | Pct. | Conf. | Pct. | Streak | Home | Away | Neutral |
| 1-19 | .050 | 1-19 | .050 | Lost 6 | 0-10 | 1-9 | 0-0 |
Head Coach: Peter Benoite
Assistant Coaches: Brian Chmarney, Jason Shepherd, Bill Wiseman
2012-2013 record: 1-19 AUS
| Key Players: Vasilje Curcic, Alpha Kisusi, Caleb Gould, Ryan Wood, Noel Moffatt, Chris Henderson, Jake Hynes, Davontai Moore |
Incoming Recruits: Jacob Ranton, Daniel Foo, Davion Parnsalu, Kieran Hawksley
Red Shirt: Emmanuel Kwofie, Kevin Ajyei Lamptey
Departures: Theo Stanoev, Bruno Mendonca, Keegan MacNeil, Drake Kinnunen, Jeremy Phillips, Hubert Ajiboye, Timo Sargent
The Memorial Seahawks have been in the basement of the AUS for a few years now and the nice thing about that position is that there is only one way to go, and that is up. The question is when does the venture truly begin?
Yes, the Sea Hawks are coming off a 1-19 season but let’s not forget that the one win was at storied St FX. The team has solid talent and keeps most games close, they just haven’t figured out how to win yet. Coach Benoite speaks on a positive note for this season saying “the guys have come back hungry.”
Well the Sea Hawks should be optimistic as they return four of their starting five and most importantly is 6-9 Serbian post Vasilje Curcic.
Curcic became Memorials go to guy and gained invaluable experience as a freshman in 2012/13 as he averaged 16.5 PPG which was good for sixth in the conference and earned him an AUS Rookie Team award. If the growth in his game has a defensive side and rebounding edge look for him to be a dominant player in the AUS and as a big in the CIS.
The addition of Davion Parnsalu will definitely help all members of the Sea Hawks as Davion is a solid ball handler and passer who will get all Sea Hawks involved and give solid execution to coach Benoite’s vast experience and knowledge.
Davion also possesses a solid shooting touch that will counter nicely with Curcic game as he makes defenders think twice about doubling. The Sea Hawks also add a solid player in NPH 79th ranked Jacob Ranton.
Ranton, a 6-6 versatile forward will add size and athletic ability to the position and will allow Memorial to compete at a much higher level at the small forward spot.
Coach Benoite is cautiously approaching the season “Basically we are looking to build on last year and look to be more competitive in the league. We had a good recruiting class and feel we have players in all the key positions now, and are in good shape to move forward”.
The Sea Hawks are young and lack the fourth and fifth year leadership but their measure of growth will be determined by their ability to challenge for and possibly obtain a Metro Centre playoff berth.
Memorial must become a defensive minded team and learn to bring the intangibles in the game of basketball. They must learn to do the trench work and successes will be witnessed.
