BRISTOL, R.I. — Peabody native Sam Mancinelli is off to a solid start with her new team at Roger Williams. And given the success she saw in her four years playing varsity basketball at Bishop Fenwick, it’s no surprise that Mancinelli’s succeeding at the next level.
While wearing the Crusaders uniform, Mancinelli was a standout point guard on a Fenwick team that emerged as a Division 3 powerhouse. The Crusaders won the Division 3 state championship in Mancinelli’s junior year, 2015-2016, and made a run to the sectional final the next season.
“Playing at Fenwick was a great experience because of the team and Coach (Adam) DeBaggis,” Mancinelli, who also played volleyball and softball at Fenwick, said. “Our team was very close knit and we all got along. Coach DeBaggis was a great coach and he always knew how to push me to become a better player.”
After excelling at Fenwick, Mancinelli joined the women’s basketball team at Division III Roger Williams in Rhode Island. She cited the school’s campus, along with a positive impression during an overnight visit, as the two main factors that led her to become a Hawk.
“I wanted a small school with a beautiful campus,” Mancinelli said. “Roger Williams is right on the water and that was a plus for me. It’s also an hour and a half away from home which is perfect for me. Basketball was another factor, I did an overnight where I met the team and the coaches. I decided on Roger Williams a few weeks after my visit.”
Thus far it seems as though Mancinelli’s choice was the right one, for both sides. Although college freshmen often find themselves watching more than playing, Mancinelli has made key contributions right away.
In 10 games, Mancinelli’s averaging 5.1 points per contest along with 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists. The freshman guard’s shooting 39.1 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from beyond the arc, while logging 20.7 minutes per game.
“In my first few games I was nervous but the team’s very encouraging,” Mancinelli said. “I’ve gotten more comfortable with each game and my minutes have increased. I didn’t expect to get a lot of playing time coming in but I’m very satisfied with where I’m at right now.”
Mancinelli credited DeBaggis and the Fenwick program for preparing her for the level of play in college. While there are differences between basketball in high school and college, Mancinelli believes being a Fenwick product placed her in a good position to succeed.
“Coach DeBaggis pushed me in practice and helped prepare me for the way we practice and the way Coach (Kelly) Thompson pushes me now,” Mancinelli said. “College basketball’s mentally tough. Learning the plays was the most difficult thing for me coming in as a freshman. Coming from Fenwick where we were always learning new plays and working on our mental toughness, that definitely helped me.”
The Hawks are off to a fast start this winter, as the team currently stands at 8-2 on the season. Roger Williams tipped off its Commonwealth Coast Conference portion of the schedule with a win over Western New England. The Hawks are 2-1 against conference opponents.
“Our season’s going really well,” Mancinelli said. “From the beginning, I can see how much potential we have. We’re doing really well in utilizing the best skills of each player. We have a long way to go and we’re working to get to our best point. We’ve played a lot of tough non-conference opponents to help make us a better team.”
The keys to the Hawks’ early success, Mancinelli said, are strong communication and teamwork. With everybody on the same page, Roger Williams puts itself in position to reach its full potential on the court.
“Our teamwork and our communication on the court are at a high level,” Mancinelli said. “We’re very good defensively in terms of talking to each other. Everyone knows their role and everyone’s always contributing. We’re all on the same page. That’s what separates us from other teams.”
Off the court, Mancinelli’s learning the ins and outs of what it takes to be a student athlete in college. She feels that her experiences as a student athlete at Fenwick helped her cause in the classroom as well.
“In the beginning it was an adjustment but I love all my teachers and they’re helpful,” Mancinelli said. “Playing basketball helps me manage my time a lot better. Academically, I love all my classes and I feel that I’m doing well so far.
“I’m so thankful for how prepared Fenwick made me to come to college academically and athletically,” Mancinelli added. “I’m always going to miss playing for Fenwick more than anything and wish them the best of luck this year, but I’m also super lucky to be where I’m at right now at Roger Williams.”
The Hawks are back in action on Jan. 4 when they host Wentworth.