Posted: Oct 31, 2024
Spartans Basketball Looks to Build on 2023-24
Cayuga Community College Women's Basketball opens the season this week, featuring three returning contributors and several talented newcomers.
The Spartans return their top scorer and starting point guard from the 2023-24 team that finished 10-15 and came five points away from upsetting top-seeded Jefferson Community College in the Region III tournament.
Coach Jim Alberici said this year's team is already ahead of the 2023-24 team, none of whom had experience playing collegiate basketball going into the season.
"Last year, no one on our team had played a quarter of college basketball," noted Alberici. "This year, we have three players who were important contributors last season. They've guided our new players in how we do things, and how important it is to work hard each day."
Cayuga will be led by sophomore point guard Lexi Alberici, guard Savanna Murray and guard/forward Haley Mosch. Alberici and Mosch started all 25 games last season for the Spartans, with Alberici second on the team with three assists per game. Mosch led the Spartans in scoring and rebounding, averaging more than 13 points and seven rebounds per game.
Newcomers this season include guard Morgan Jones and forwards Siera Murray, Jada Smith, and Xavia Evener.
Post play should also be a strength for the team, said Alberici, who noted that the roster has worked hard to prepare for the physicality of playing in the paint.
"We worked hard in the offseason to improve our strength," he said. "I'm really happy with their work ethic, and our team chemistry is good like last year. That should help us this season as well, especially with a tough schedule."
As usual, the Spartans face a challenging Region III schedule. Onondaga Community College and Jefferson are on the schedule twice, and both are ranked in the NJCAA preseason poll. Cayuga also hosts Mohawk Valley Community College, ranked 14th in the national preseason poll.
Traditionally strong teams from Herkimer College, Hudson Valley Community College, and Fulton-Montgomery Community College are also on the Spartans' schedule.
Cayuga had preseason scrimmages with club teams from Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland, and they open the season at home against Roberts Wesleyan JV on November 1. They open the Region III and Mid-State Athletic Conference schedule at home against SUNY Broome on November 6.
Alberici said the team is looking forward to the opener and building on last season's solid finish.
"We talked all offseason about getting better. Winning the day, as we call it. I think we've done that, and hopefully it will pay off this season," he said.