Posted: Nov 05, 2023

Spartans Men’s Basketball Ready for 2023-24 Season

Guard Cody Loveless is the lone returning player from a 2022-23 Spartans team that finished 10-14 and just missed making the regional playoffs.

Cayuga Community College Men's Basketball is looking forward to building on last year's record when their 2023-24 season tips off this week.

With an athletic roster almost exclusively comprised of freshmen, the Spartans are looking to improve on last year's 10-14 finish that saw them land just outside the Region III tournament. Cayuga opens the season Monday, Nov. 6, at home against Bryant & Stratton (Syracuse). Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Coach Tony Borges said this year's group is young but has showed the intensity needed to succeed at the collegiate level.

"I like this group. They take pride in how they practice, and they're committed to making themselves better," said Borges. "They're picking things up quickly. We're looking forward to the season and seeing what we can do."

The Spartans are looking to advance to the regional tournament this season, but will also have the opportunity to compete in the Mid-State Athletic Conference tournament if they finish in the top four in the conference. The conference tournament was reinstituted this season.

Along with replacing several talented guards from last year's squad, the team is also looking to replace the production of Shaheem Sanders, who led the NJCAA Division III in rebounding the past two years for Cayuga. Guard Cody Loveless is the lone returning player from the 2022-23 season, and is one of two sophomores on the team along with Alejandro Castellanos.

Borges said this year's team should be solid on defense and features a mix of speed and size that should help on both ends of the court. Cayuga has seven players measuring 6'4" or taller.

"We have some quick guards who shoot it well, and we have some talented big men. But defense is always number one for us. We've been focusing on buckling down and playing defense and rebounding," said Borges. "I think we should be good. I'm intrigued to see how we respond in one of the toughest regions in the country."

After Monday's opener, the Spartans are on the road Thursday, Nov. 9, for their conference and regional opener against Finger Lakes Community College before returning home to host Tompkins Cortland Community College on Nov. 11.