STANDISH, Maine – Head Coach Rob Sanicola '99 has released the men's basketball recruiting Class of 2023.
Sanicola, who is entering his 17th season at the helm for the Monks, has brought in a class of eight players hailing from five different states. The group, which includes four guards and four forwards, will be asked to help fill the void left by the Monks' four departed seniors: 1,000-point scorers and two-time All-Conference honorees Darian Berry and Ian Mileikis and forwards Marc Corey and Andrew Carroll.
A solid core returns this winter however, as starters Jack Casale (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) and point guard Tatsuaki Sakai (Ishikawa, Japan) are back for their junior seasons while rising sophomores David Keohan (West Newfield, Maine) and Nicholas Curtis (Windham, Maine) figure to see expanded roles during the 2019-20 campaign.
"We are excited to get these guys onto campus and immersed in the St. Joe's Way," adds Sanicola. "We love the depth and versatility of all the guys and what they will bring to our returning group."
"With that said, these are OKG's (Our Kind of Guys)," Sanicola continues. "They have shown to be accountable and mentally tough and possess both strong competitive spirt and high basketball intelligence - all characteristics that will serve them well at St. Joe's."
MEN'S BASKETBALL CLASS OF 2023:
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Ashtyn Abbott Why Saint Joseph's? Great atmosphere High School: Played basketball, soccer, and track & field at Hall-Dale High School…Scored 1,117 career points…Selected as the Kennebec Journal Player of the Year and MVC Player of the Year…Two-time All-Conference First Team honoree, Mr. Maine Basketball Semifinalist, and McDonald's All-Star…Two-time All-Tournament Team…High Jump State Champion and high school record holder…2018 Regional Final Champion, 2018 State Final Appearance, 2018 MVC Champion, 2019 Regional Final Appearance, 2018 High Jump State Champion, 2018 New England Track and Field Championship Appearance, 2019 New England Track and Field Championship appearance…Listed on the High Honor Roll and a member of the National Honor Society…Springfield Book Award Winner. Community Service: Key Club, youth basketball official, youth soccer official Personal: Ashtyn Ryan Abbott, son of Meagan and Ryan Abbott. |
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Ian Jennings Why Saint Joseph's? I decided to attend Saint Joseph's College because of the community feeling and great coaching staff. High School: Played basketball and baseball at Milton High School…As a senior, garnered First Team All-Lake Division, Lake Division Player of Year, Second Team All-State, All-USA Vermont First Team, and Team MVP accolades…His junior year he collected First Team All-Lake Division, Lake Division Player of the Year, Second Team All-State, and All-USA Vermont Second Team honors…1,000-point scorer and four-year varsity player…Helped his team advance to the 2018 VBCA Division 2 State Championship game and the 2019 VBCA Division 2 Semifinal…Earned the Man of the Year scholarship…Played AAU for Lone Wolf Athletics…Played two years of varsity baseball and named Lake Division Honorable Mention. Community Service: Special Olympic Unified Basketball volunteer and coached Milton youth basketball Personal: Ian Michael Jennings, son of Jessica Jennings. |
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Alex Laferriere Why Saint Joseph's? To get a great education and to play basketball; when I visited the campus I knew it was the school for me. High School: Played basketball and golf at Lowell Catholic High School…Selected as a Lowell Sun Honorable Mention All-Star and named Christmas Tournament All-Star…Helped his team finish as the Northern Sectional runner-up…Listed on the Academic Honor Roll. Community Service: Raked leaves for the elderly, helped at the Lowell Day Nursery, and helped at a basketball camp Personal: Alex Scott Laferriere, son of Jen and Mike Laferriere. |
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Cameron Lovejoy Why Saint Joseph's? I knew a lot of students already attending and loved the campus High School: Played basketball, football, and lacrosse at Kennebunk High School…1,000-point scorer, three-time All-Conference honoree and Rookie of the Year selection…Also a two-time All-Conference recipient in football…Listed on the Academic Honor Roll. Community Service: Performed 98.5 hours in high school. Personal: Cameron Joseph Lovejoy, son of Wendy and Joey Lovejoy…Has two siblings, Carley and Chase. |
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Joseph Nuttall Why Saint Joseph's? Academics and basketball program High School: Played basketball at Wachusett Regional High School…Three-time All-Star Mid-Watch, Mid-Watch MVP, T@G All-Star, and T@G Super Team selection…Helped his team win Regionals and the Mass State Championship…Listed on the Academic Honor Roll…Played AAU for BABC… Community Service: Served as an assistant coach for the summer basketball training programs Personal: Joseph Ronald Nuttall, son of Tricia and Ronald Nuttall…Has one brother, Christopher. |
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Billy O'Keefe Why Saint Joseph's? As soon as I got on campus it felt like a second home High School: Played basketball and football at Wakefield Memorial High School…Garnered Middlesex League All-Star, Middlesex League All-Conference, Middlesex League MVP, and Agganis All Star accolades…Listed on the Academic Honor Roll. Community Service: Coached youth basketball Personal: William Edward O'Keefe, son of Lori O'Keefe…Has one brother, Michael. |
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Colin Robins Why Saint Joseph's? Because when I visited it felt like home and everyone was very welcoming High School: Played basketball at St. Augustine High School…Led his team in assists as a senior…Helped St. Augustine claim District and Conference championships…Member of the National Honor Society…Played AAU for First Coast Elite for two years…Selected as the team's Defensive MVP and garnered Hoopseen All-Tournament honors…Averaged 14.9 points and 4.9 assists. Community Service: Link Crew member (program which helps incoming freshmen into the school) and performed over 200 hours of community service for St. Augustine High School. Personal: Colin John Robins, son of Ko and John Robins…Has two sisters, Abby and Grace. |
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Andrew Shea Why Saint Joseph's? I decided to attend Saint Joseph's because it's far enough from home, the academics will be challenging and I was recruited to play basketball. High School: Played basketball and baseball for Mount Desert Island High School…Earned First Team, Second Team, and Honorable Mention All-Conference honors during his career…Helped his team win the 2017 Class B Maine State Championship…Listed on the Academic Honor Roll and chosen as the Student of the Month…Played club for Black Bear North for one year. Community Service: Completed over 100 hours at MDI. Personal: Andrew Brookes Shea, son of Leslyn and Andrew Shea…Has one sibling, Maclean. |