Season Preview: Men's Basketball
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - As the dawn of the Finger Lakes Community College men's basketball season approaches, there has been growing anticipation and expectations for the team. Guided by first-year Head Coach Jeff Spinelli, the Lakers are rebuilding the program from the bottom up. Spinelli and the coaching staff have looked to building a powerful foundation and culture that promotes accountability and teamwork to lead them this season.
During the journey this preseason, the Lakers have welcomed new faces to the program including Davion Jones (Rochester, N.Y./Monroe), Kyle Slywka (Waterloo, N.Y./Waterloo), Jaquan Shears (Rochester, N.Y./Monroe), Andrew Edwards-Ferrell (Rochester, N.Y./U Prep), James Reaves Jr. (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena), Jace Brown (Red Creek, N.Y./Red Creek), Jaiden Lopez (Lyons, N.Y./Lyons), Jaiden Burlee (Ontario, N.Y./Wayne), Jaden Hartsfield (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Odyssey), Marvin Reed Jr. (Durham, N.C./Faith Assembly), Felton Gray (Rochester, N.Y./Monroe), Slayde Huntley (Herrin, IL./Herrin) and Pavel Solano (Yonkers, N.Y./Manhattan Bridges).
Andrew Edwards-Ferrell joined the Lakers for his sophomore year, following his freshman stint at Genesee Community College. Marvin Reed Jr. Transitioned from Louisburg College in North Carolina, and Slayde Huntley joins the Lakers from Judson University in Illinois.
Returner Bruce Wilder Jr. (Rochester, N.Y./Fairport) comes back to compete in his first full season as a Laker following an injury last season and will be joined by teammates Frankie Oropeza (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena) and Spencer Reese (Farmington, N.Y.). Coach Spinelli will look to his returners to help mentor and guide the large freshman class, "Lead by example on and off the floor, especially in the classroom" Spinelli emphasized.
Spinelli and his coaching staff will focus on both the tangible and intangible aspects of the game in their multifaceted approach. The principles for Spinelli's program are simple, "Attitude, Effort, and Execution".
With a blend of fresh talent and experience, the Lakers are poised for an exciting 2023-24' campaign. The team will open the season this Wednesday, November 1st on the Putt Moore Court at 7 PM against the Monroe Community College Tribunes.
Visit flccathletics.com to keep up with all things Finger Lakes Community College Athletics this season. Follow the Lakers on social media @flccathletics on Facebook and Twitter, and @FLCCLakers on Instagram.