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The basketball season is upon us, and the men’s squad is looking to avenge last year’s snub of not getting a playoff spot by competing for the schools fifth state championship.The team will be recovering from losing four of the five starters of last season to scholarships. There are only two players returning.

Among the returning players is first team All-Southern Coast Conference (SCC) North Division Forward Elliott Berry. Berry averaged 15.27 points and 5.33 rebounds per game last season.

“We’ve got a lot of talent with good attributes to the team,” said Berry

According to Head Coach Mike Swanegan, Berry is being heavily recruited by over 30 schools including Clemson, West Virginia, and Arkansas to name a few.

Transfer Jordan Block from Chaffey College is expected to be a main player at shooting guard for the Lancers.

Last season, the men’s team had an impressive 22-9 record finishing in second place overall in the SCC North Division. Despite the success, the Lancers didn’t make the playoffs.

“We play in one of the toughest leagues in Southern California,” said Swanegan.

Coach Swanegan blames the system of how the playoffs are structured.

“The system has to be changed because non-league games don’t mean anything,” said Swanegan.

According to Swanegan, the Lancers beat two top-five ranked teams in the state, Antelope Valley College and Saddleback College. But since those games were non-league, they’re not taken into account.

Swanegan has high expectations of his players this season.

“I expect our team to be in the top three in the league,” said Swanegan.

Players also have high expectations for their season.

“I expect for us to make playoffs,” said Berry.

Player Matt Salinas wants to win all the conference games. “We have a really excellent team,” said Salinas.

Red shirt freshman B.J Rosary just wants to get out there and play.

“I’m ready to get that scholarship,” said Rosary.

“I want our team to play hard every single game and to be as disciplined as we can be,” said Swanegan.

According to Swanegan, Mt. Sac and L.A. Trade Tech are the Lancers biggest competitors year in, year out.

“Every night we’re going to come and play hard,” said Swanegan.

Taurus D’Antignac drives the ball during a team practice. (Michael Cheng)

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