The Pierce College’s men’s basketball team is getting ready for the new season with a herd of new players and a mentality of growth.
The team, coached by Charles White, has recruited many new players this season. It now has 11 freshmen and five sophomores.
White coached the team through a rough season that ended in a 7-21 record in the 2023-24 season, and is now ready to make changes for the better of the team.
“I wasn’t looking for shooters, I was looking for scores,” White said. “The last couple of seasons, you can do the math, that’s not a lot of wins, and we have got to turn it around.”
Despite the losses from last season, point guard Lawrence Caudillo said he is thrilled about the opportunity to improve the team.
“We got a brand new team, so it’s going to be a good season,” Caudillo said. “I’m excited to win some games, and be better than where we were last year.”
Other teammates like Jamarié Bailey reflected on how the team has formed a strong bond with each other over the past few months.
“I feel like we have a pretty good brotherhood. If one of us falls down, the other person is right there to pick us up,” Bailey said. “We’re a little competitive, but that’s all love, it’s all just basketball.”
Colleges all across the country have a multitude of scholarships available for those in sports teams, including basketball. Sports information specialist Jose Quevedo spoke on how being in athletic programs allows students to flourish.
“The term is student-athlete, student comes first. So, in a way they are also getting them prepared for life,” Quevedo said. “It gives a lot of students, not just basketball, the opportunity to keep playing sports outside of high school.”
Coach White has previously served as head coach for Van Nuys High School’s basketball team and assistant coach for Sylmar High School. He was appointed interim head coach for the 2019-2020 season and later was appointed permanent head coach. Looking forward, White said he is working on settling into the new team dynamics.
“We have 11 freshmen and five sophomores, and they are still trying to get used to each other,” White said. “I’m hoping by Thanksgiving that we will be showing some strides.”
The team is set to face off against Santa Monica College on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. in their first game of the season.
