The Oswego State Lakers have started off their season strong and exceeded the expectations many would have for a team with multiple new faces.

With the early success the Lakers are seeing, the men’s basketball program is looking beyond the now. With a plethora of new and young players joining the team this year, the future looks bright given the chance for these players to grow together throughout the season. The Lakers have started their season off with a record of 4-0, and each of those wins have come in commanding fashion. The Lakers have won their four games by an average margin of 25.5 points, showing their early dominance.

Although the early success is refreshing for the basketball program, coach Jason Leone said it is still early.

“…We still have the rest of the season ahead of us, but, of course, our start to the season is important and crucial,” Leone said.

Oswego State has added eight new players to the program at the start of the season, with six of them being freshmen and the other two being a junior and senior. Most of these new players have instantly added to the early success of the Lakers’ squad. The likes of senior Quinn Carey, junior Joe Sullivan and freshmen Julien Crittendon and Bo Sireika have all contributed to the early success. Along with the new players, returning players such as Tyler Pierre, Brandan Gartland, Liam Sanborn and Tim Marshall have also played a crucial role in getting the team where they are now.

“One of the biggest stories for this season was the commitment of our returning players to put in the work and get better during the off season,” Leone said.

Leone lamented the team’s unity and youth.

“The team we have now is building a strong foundation, and the players are all doing the little things to win,” Leone said.

With the mixture of youth and veterans on the roster, the team is built to win now and in the future, which Leone spoke proudly about. With the experience and guidance of players like Pierre, Gartland, Marshall, Allen Durutovic, Sullivan and Carey, the team has the experience to get through tough stretches. With that comes the fact that only two of those players are seniors, and the rest will most likely be returning next season with even more experience.

A big key to the Lakers’ off season before their impressive four-game start was recruiting. Leone said the 2018/2019 program recruited well, and with added success to this early start the upcoming years, recruiting classes might mirror this one.

The team’s youth gives the Oswego State fans and basketball program a lot to look forward to in future seasons. The future is bright once these players get a chance to learn, grow and be molded by Leone and the rest of his coaching staff.

The most notable example of growth and young energy is starting point guard Sanborn, who is only a sophomore. Sanborn has exhibited excellent IQ at the point guard position. Sanborn is a true floor general, displaying control and composure that is beyond what his age would suggest, and being a sophomore with another season under his belt, he can only get better from here.

Another highlight and notable aspect in the team’s youth is freshman guard Crittendon, who has been a key player in the Lakers’ impressive start to the season. Serving as a sixth man for the team, Crittendon serves as a spark plug for the team and bench unit, showing he is a reliable playmaker and scorer off the bench.

Freshman Sireika has also shown glimpses of being a reliable playmaker with his time and chances running the point.

“The team we have now is playing strong together and are looking like we are set for future seasons,” Leone said.

With a mixture of young players, experience and talent, this Oswego State Lakers team has a lot to be desired now and for the future.

Photo by Maria Pericozzi | The Oswegonian