As the semester starts to come to an end, the Men’s Basketball season is just getting started. This past weekend the Seawolves kicked off their season as they took on Dominican University and the Academy of Art. Against Dominican University, they lost in a close battle, 76-82. They also ended up losing to the Academy of Art 70-77 in another tight game. After going 3-25 last year, the team was very eager to get back out on the court and have a redemption season. After gaining some more players over the offseason, the men are fired up for the season. 

Business major and Sophomore, Jaylen Wells, was the only player I was able to get in contact with. He mentioned that the players and coaching staff all have the same mindset heading into this season. Wells said via Instagram, “This year we have a lot of new guys and a dedicated coaching staff with one goal on our mind, win!” He also went on to say that his coach likes to think of each game as multiple “one game seasons”. The thought behind that being that they like to simplify their strategy to play in the moment and not think too far ahead. 

With new players coming in over the offseason, challenges may rise on how they fit in on the team. Sometimes players can come in with their own agenda and play for themselves, rather than the team. With nine new players coming into the mix, the team chemistry could have plummeted. However, this is not the case with this season’s team. “The team chemistry has been getting better and better everyday. Our San Diego trip was our first battle together and I think we grew as a team from it,” said Wells. 

I asked Wells how the team’s performance is affected based on the attendance of the crowd. He said, “Our team loves being able to play when the stands are packed. It amplifies the intensity and energy brought to the game.” 

Last year Wells led the team in points per game and rebounds per game. He also led the team in minutes per game. Wells had a 41% field goal percentage, along with 26% from 3 point. Doing this as a freshman is extremely impressive and he looks forward to building on top of his already incredible resume. 

Rich Shayewitz, the head coach of the team, is an alumni of Sonoma State University, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelors in Business Marketing. Shayewitz rejoined the men’s team last year during the 2021-2022 season, and coached both men’s and the women’s team. However, this season he is just coaching the men’s team. Over his near 20 year coaching career with the men’s team, he has aided the team to its four NCAA appearances. 

The Seawolves will be playing their first home game this Friday, Nov. 18, in a double header against Western Oregon and Minnesota State University at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. This Friday will be the first home stand of many as the season is just beginning.