The men’s basketball season starts on Nov. 16, and the Oswego State Lakers are looking to make a statement and build onto their last season.

A new season is fast approaching, and the Lakers are going into the season with a new team. With last season’s leading scorers Jamir Ferebee and Ian Schupp graduating and leaving the team, head coach Jason Leone was tasked with finding a way to fill the gap left behind.

The Lakers have added eight new players to the team. With six freshmen and two new transfers, the Lakers are entering this season with a new look and new identity. While many would think the loss of two top scorers would be tough on the team, Leone said the team has “a more balanced scoring attack.” He went on to name sophomore guard Liam Sanborn, senior center Tyler Pierre, who was third team all-conference last season, Quinn Carey, a transfer from SUNY Geneseo who led the SUNYAC in made three-pointers, transfer Joe Sullivan and returning junior Brandan Gartland.

Even with those five proven college players spreading the scoring load amongst themselves, Leone is expecting the bench to be a key part of their season. Freshmen Louis Fedullo, Bo Sireika and Julien Crittendon, along with returning players Tim Marshall and Allen Durutovic, are expected to step up in those bench roles.

In terms of returning back to the SUNYAC tournament and winning the title, Leone said that the team would have to have a balanced scoring attack.

“[The team needs to be] a more intelligent and committed defensive team, particularly defending the three-point line,” Leone said.

The team has adapted a more defensive mindset this season, with the goal of returning to the SUNYAC tournament. Leone said the major goal for the Lakers team is to make incremental changes to make it to the SUNYAC tournament.

“[Our goal is to have] daily improvement and build some habits so that we are playing our best basketball in that last week of February,” Leone said.

The new look of the team, along with its youth, might serve as a disadvantage to the Lakers. The teams that have the most returning players are usually the best teams and the favorites to win the conference. Teams like Plattsburgh State ranked No. 14 in the country in the preseason, returning the best player in the region, John Patron, and five seniors. Lakers are in for a tough season being a different team than they were last season.

Pierre is looking to step up and assume leadership role for the team this year.

“This team is young, so we need some senior leadership, and that’s what I’m going to do. That’s what I’m going to have to step up and do,” Pierre said.

With his experience and being a proven college player, he is looking to lead his team to success this season.

With so many new faces on the team, the main concern would be chemistry amongst the players. That will not seem to be a problem this season, according to Leone and Pierre, both speaking about the chemistry of the team in glowing terms.

“It feels like a much different vibe in the gym every day,” Leone said. “These guys are workers. They are very connected. They really root each other on.”

Pierre added that the team seems to be more close than they were last season, and he believes that will help them in the long upcoming season.

“I like how together we are as an unit. On and off the court, we bond with each other pretty well,” Pierre said.

After having an overall record of 14-13 last season, the Lakers are looking to improve and play their best basketball this season.

Photo by Taylor Woods | The Oswegonian