The men’s basketball team is getting ready to kick off their season this month with a preseason record of 3-2.
Of the 15 players on the team, eight are returners and seven are freshmen. They have played five games so far and are scheduled to head into conference play at the end of December.
“The biggest goal for the team is to get better as the season progresses, teams can sometimes peak too early and those other teams can catch up and surpass you,” said head coach Jonathan James. “I just want a gradual progression to us reaching our full potential around January, February. That would be ideal.”
Last season the team made it to the first round of playoffs, but lost against Gavilan College. The Hawks finished the season with a conference record of 9-7 and an overall record of 16-13.
Last year’s team lost many players due to different reasons towards the end of their season, said sophomore forward Kobe Witherow-Bass, who is a transfer player from American River College.
“Due to eligibility, they lost a few players which was a turning point for them and to still have that outcome was honestly really good,” said Witherow-Bass.
With the talent on the team this season there is more depth within each position to reach their overarching goal of winning games, James said.
“We are bigger collectively,” James said. “I think this team across the board has more talent at every position, last year we were good in some areas, but not so good in other areas. This year I think we have two or three guys who are good at every position.”
The team chemistry is way better this year on and off the court, said sophomore forward Brian Unachukwu. They go to other Hawks games and hangout whenever they can, he said.
“I feel like we are going to continue to grow together, not just on the court but outside the court as well, holding ourselves accountable in the classroom and going to the study center,” said Unachukwu.
With the steps in practice they have been taking, their main goal is to not only win games, but also the conference championship, said freshman point guard Kainoa Marasco.
“On and off the court our friendships are there and all of us are very committed to playing as a team and listening to our coaches,” Marasco said. “I’m pretty confident in us and how we will do.”
The Hawks play their next game at home against Feather River College at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.