NEW LONDON, Conn. - Coast Guard Men's Basketball enters the 2023-24 campaign with a significant number of returning players that all earned valuable experience last year. Of the 11 returning players, eight different players scored in double figures throughout the season.
Junior point guard Declan Rooney will look to build on an outstanding sophomore season. In the 2022-23 season, Rooney led the team in total points with 291, in points per game with 13.9 ppg and in assists with 57 for the year. In NEWMAC play, Declan finished 5th in scoring at 16.5 points per game and was also 6th in the league in made 3-point field goals. On three different occasions, he scored 20 or more points including a season high of 26 against MIT.
Junior post player Cameron Brown returns after a productive sophomore season. Brown led the team in free throws, blocks, and finished second on the team for field goals made and total rebounds. Brown led the team in offensive boards with 56 total. He had a game high of 14 rebounds last season against Springfield College. Classmate, Bryce VanderWiere  also had a productive year. He led the team in field goal percentage at 53% and averaged 5.1 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game. Junior Ben Yagey will see time in the backcourt for the Bears this year. Ben averaged 5.4 points per game and 2.8 rebounds.
Sophomore shooting guard Trevor Parks returns after leading the team in three-point attempts and three-pointers made. In 186 attempts, Parks made 59 baskets from behind the arc. Parks also finished second in total points, scoring 204 in 25 games played, for an average of 8.2 points per game. Park's most three-pointers in one game was against Clark University, when he splashed six threes in 40 minutes. Trevor finished 5th in 3 point field goals made for NEWMAC play. Classmates Elijah Parent Luke Farrell, and Mitch Shettles, all made major contributions as first year players and will look to build on that success for the upcoming season. Elijah Parent scored in double figures six different times in NEWMAC play and averaged 5.8 points per game, and also led the team in free throw percentage at 84%. Mitch Shettles recorded a career high 25 points in his first ever NEWMAC game and averaged 8.4 points per game while Luke Farrell led the team in rebounds with 141 for the year.
First year players Jordan Frazer and Walker Corbin are the newest members of the program. They have had a very good pre-season and will compete for playing time.
Coach Jaskiewicz is looking forward to the start of the upcoming season."This group has worked hard and has acquired a lot of experience over the last two years. We have a very competitive schedule, and we will need to rely on that experience." said Jaskiewicz.
The Bears will play an exhibition on November 6th against Division I opponent Quinnipiac at 7:30 pm and then will start the regular season on the road at Sara Lawrence College on November 8th at 7 pm.
