Adrian Herrera/ Round-Up
Coming off a disappointing 10-17 record last season, Pierce College Men’s Basketball team hopes this year will bring better fortune and a possible playoff berth.
According to Head Coach Ed Babayan one of the biggest changes this year is that the team is not cutting players early in the season, instead they are keeping extra players on the team roster.
“We have kept a large amount of players and have enough guys at every position,” said Babayan. “We don’t want to get hurt late in the season like we did last year.”
Last year a number of players who had committed did not play and it hurt the team as they were left shorthanded during a tough season, according to Babayan.
“We should be a much better team this season,” said Assistant Coach Sean Edwardsen. “If we play right, to our potential, we can win conference.”
Pierce finished a dismal 4-8 in conference play last season, but hopes to do more than just win conference this season as Babayan expects more from this team.
“Every year we come in with the expectations of wining our conference and going to playoffs,” said Coach Babayan. “Some years it’s more realistic than others and this season seems like one of those.”
21-year-old center Michael Aguilar agrees and hopes this year’s team will be a contender.
“We have a lot of good guards which benefits us, and we are also very strong down low,” said Aguilar, “we have a lot of depth this year and that will help.”
Returning players include guards Betrand Kamga, Peter St. Hubert, Ever Lopez, Juan Gill, forward Malcolm Collins and center Arash Riahi who have all played together a year or two, according to Babayan.
“It is a good group of returning guys,” said Babayan. “I don’t feel like I am starting the year brand new.”
Pierce has added some new faces to the team as well as transfers from other junior colleges hoping they will all have a strong impact that will translate into winning.
“I’m excited to be back this season,” said Aguilar, who is returning to the team after two years. “We have high expectations and I hope we play well.”
Although still very early in the season, players seem to already be on the same page. Babayan is not surprised.
“This year I feel that were an older more mature group,” added Babayan, “Its showing, we are 2-2.”
Pierce will play its next game on the road at
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