The men’s basketball team will kick off its 2011-2012 season with the seventh annual Hawks Invitational, from Nov. 10-12.

With 18 wins last season, the Hawks have a lot to live up to.

“Our goals are set up pretty high,” said head coach James Giacomazzi.

Giacomazzi has led the basketball team to 84 victories throughout his seven years of coaching at Cosumnes River college, according to the CRC athletics website.

Even though the coaching team is using the same strategies from last season, both Giacomazzi and assistant coach Nicholas Podesta are confident the team will go far this season.

“We expect to play good offense while playing solid defense and rebounding the ball with intensity,” Podesta said.

However, neither Podesta or Giacomazzi are ready to slack off.  The team has trained hard to develop their bodies and skills using the weight room and the gym, Giacomazzi said.

“We [held] conditioning classes during the off-season to continue to get into shape,” Podesta said.

The players are also excited to begin the season.

“Our players have similar expectations to those of the coaching staff,” Podesta said. “They know their expectations.”

Last season, the team consisted of 11 freshman and two sophomores, a team lacking in experience, but not ambition. It was a young team and “had its ups and downs,” Giacomazzi said.

Despite the inexperience of the team, the Hawks finished in third place in the Hawks Invitational last year. This season, experienced sophomores are bringing their best back to the court, Giacomazzi said.

Podesta pointed out that sophomore forward Tony Gill “will be one of the best post players in the state,” while sophomore forwards JJ Mina and Ryan Salmonson will also be “one of the best front courts in the entire state.”

Podesta also said that sophomore forward James Tillman “is one of the best athletes you will see at this level.”

“Tillman is extremely explosive on the offensive end of the floor, and will continue to garner recruiting interest as the season goes along,” Podesta said.

One of the important changes occurring on the men’s team is the deeper connection between staff and students and a greater sense of camaraderie.

“They know what they are capable of when they play together as a team, and they expect to succeed,” Podesta said.

Make sure to follow @CRCHawks on Twitter and Like the Cosumnes River College Hawks on Facebook to catch all of CRC’s sports action!