Seneca Sting Men’s Basketball Season

By: Adi Dreml-Scully

The Seneca Sting men’s basketball season has come to yet another stop in play as the Covid-19 numbers are spiking upwards again. The Seneca sting basketball team has been one of the better teams in college sports in the past couple years. In 2018 they won the OCAA gold medal game against the Humber Hawks, defeating them 74-63. Jay McNeilly is in his 4th season as Seneca’s Head coach and is excited for what’s to come despite what’s going on with Covid delays.

Players are still unable to practice, play games and workout in person because of the Covid-19 restrictions. However are still trying to stay in contact and shape by having zoom sessions with the team's strength coaches and therapists.

Head coach Jay McNeilly has expressed mixed feelings about the season being delayed. But definitely feels it for most of the players, as they have been struggling to quote stay “game ready”, especially at the level of competitiveness they’re at and play at. The struggles are occurring because of the extended periods of time where they’re not playing or in the gym getting shots up, being able to work out and stay in shape. Although they aren’t able to participate in practices and games, Coach Jay McNeilly is still grateful the team has remained healthy and has been able to attend their classes.

Seneca has had a pretty impressive roster in recent years and has had a lot of star players, they also play sort of a quote “team oriented style” of basketball. But when asked Coach Jay McNeilly if there were any players who has stood out to him this season, he responded with Jordan Anderson. Jordan Anderson is a 4th year player returning to Seneca who is still remaining from their national championship team. Jordan is very experienced, hard working and has a razor sharp focus for this upcoming season, which makes him the ultimate veteran leader for this team. Another player that stood out to coach Jay McNeilly was Japrell Morgan. Japrell is also a returning player and he came up through the Seneca system. He is very eager to get a more significant role within the team.

Coach Jay McNeilly has run into a few obstacles with players meeting the new vaccination requirements. Scenarios where a few players were missing out on getting their second dose of the vaccine, even quote “14 days past their second dose” deadline. But luckily for the majority of it players have been getting their vaccine shots and have been healthy with no illnesses amongst the team.

We still don’t know when the team will be able to get back out and play their first game. But what we do know is it won’t be easy. With this current lockdown and winter break, some players haven’t been able to touch a basketball in a month. And when they do return, we wonder how long they will have for their season. Many details are still up in the air, but we remain hopeful for what’s to come.