It’s a rare thing, to hear a 6-foot-6 man declare that he hasn’t been blessed with the gift of height, but when it’s Cam Sennick, you can see his point.

Sennick, a Mt. Blue High School graduate, is a sophomore forward on the Wentworth Institute of Technology men’s basketball team. One of two players to start every game for the Leopards, Sennick typically guards the opponent’s biggest player, and that player is usually a few inches taller.

at a glance

SCHOOL: Wentworth Institute of Technology

SPORT: Basketball

HOMETOWN: Wilton

HIGH SCHOOL: Mt. Blue

MAJOR: Construction Management

Additional Photos

Contributed photo STILL A PRESENCE: Mt. Blue High School graduate Cam Sennick earned a starting role on the Wentworth Institute of Technology men’s basketball team and usually guards the opposing team’s big man.

“It’s tough. It’s difficult, but I like the physical challenge of it,” Sennick said.

Arlen Galloway, Wentworth’s first-year head coach, said his first impression of Sennick was dead on.

“He really is a worker. Cam’s a kid, you don’t have to worry about his work ethic,” Galloway said. “He brings a lot of toughness. He’s our best defensive presence inside.”

Entering Tuesday night’s game at the University of New England, Sennick averaged 6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. The Leopards are 5-5, 2-1 in Commonwealth Coast Conference games.

In Wentworth’s 55-51 win Saturday over conference rival Gordon College, Sennick had to guard 6-9 Hans Miersma, who averages 14.1 points per game and leads the conference in field goal percentage (.662) and rebounds (9.8 rpg). Sennick held Miersma below his averages in every category. Miersma scored 13 points on 4 for 7 shooting, with seven boards.

“We rely on him so much against the other teams’ post players,” Galloway said.

“I try to be as physical as I can,” Sennick, who weighs 205 pounds, said. “I try to wear them down and be mentally tougher than they are.”

As a freshman, Sennick played in 27 of Wentworth’s 28 games, averaging 1.5 points in just over nine minutes per game. As Sennick’s knowledge of the college game increased, his play improved, and with that came this season’s starting role.

“I think I’ve learned a lot on how the speed of the game changes with the opposition,” Sennick said.

Offensively, Sennick can’t dominate in the low post like he did at Mt. Blue, where he was a finalist for Mr. Basketball as a senior. The array of post moves that worked in high school aren’t always effective in college, where Sennick isn’t the biggest player on the court.

“I crash the boards as much as I can. I get a few open shots each game,” Sennick said.

Galloway would like to see Sennick improve his touch around the basket, and thinks with experience, Sennick’s offensive game will improve.

“Cam’s very unselfish. He has good hands,” Galloway said. “He’s a very good mid-range jump shooter.”

Adjusting to Galloway’s coaching style was easy, Sennick said.

“He keeps us moving around. It’s been a real fun season,” Sennick said. “Now we just want to put some wins together and make a run at the conference.”

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242tlazarczyk@centralmaine.comTwitter: @TLazarczykMTM

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