The Citizen

The Cayuga Community College men's basketball team seem to be for real this year. Last season, the Spartans won just two games, but this year things will be much different under second-year coach Marcell Fisher. In the offseason, he went out and recruited a brand new squad filled with players that know how to play and win games. The Spartans' top recruits were Jovoun Webb, Vance Kelley, Isiah Watkins and Auburn's own Nick Neville.

“You need players,” Fisher said. “Recruiting is 90 percent of the program. It's a tough league and conference filled with a lot of competition.”

Playing in the Mid State Atlantic Conference is something that intrigues Webb, who hails from Webster.

“Watch out for us,” he said. “Do not underestimate us is all I recommend to our conference foes this year.”

The talent on the team has potential to do things not many Spartans teams have done. Speed and depth on the bench should keep them in games longer previous teams did. “Nobody is perfect,” Webb said. “One thing though I can promise is we will not lose on our court. I take that as offensive.”

Unlike last year, height is also not a problem. Neville and Ronnie Hodges leads the group at 6-8, while 11 others top six feet on the 16-man roster. Last year the tallest guy on the team was Joaquan “Stretch” Thomas and he was often in foul trouble.

“Stretch was the key rebounder,” Fisher said. “But he often got into foul trouble and we didn't have anyone on the bench. However, this year that will be different.”

While most would like to see a NJCAA title, they must play as a team.

“We are tight,” Watkins said. “Like the Wayne Brothers.”

“We have the potential to put a banner up,” Fisher added. “There is a lot of team unity. They rely on each other and if they study hard and play hard they will whatever the want. We are reaching high with this program, it's a must.”

The Spartans' women's team is coming off of a .500 year, but have started this season on fire. Currently the Spartans are riding high into the season with a four game winning streak, while also defeating Herkimer Community College for the first time in two years.

“The was a huge win for our confidence this year,” Spartans coach Jim Alberici said.

Prior to the win in Herkimer, the Spartans defeated Adirondack Community College 99-59.

“After a game like that, to be able to follow it up with a road win,” Alberici said. “was a very big win for us. Good to get off to a good start on our year like that.”

Despite the lack of size and depth, the Spartans aren't at all concerned.

“The small number makes us closer as a team,” Second-year starter Corissa Quattrini said.

It also helps that seven of the eight teammates share a dorm room at Lattimore Hall.

“We stressed on day one, team unity,” Alberici said. “We're building a team this year and emphasizing more on the unity side.”

The competition has improved in their conference this year. Broome Community College is coming off of a two loss season, while Finger Lakes Community College and Tompkins-Cortland Community College have also improved.

“We don't start to play our conference until January,” Alberici said. “Until then, we just build on our regional seeding and hope to improve as a team. We have enough talent as it is to make a post season run.”

Despite their lack of size and bench depth, they are an intensified team that can also shot the ball.

“They are the most athletic I've had in my 11 years,” Alberici said. “We're averaging 75 points per game.”

Defensively, they are only allowing 55 points per game. Part of it comes for the ability of Quattrini's rebounding skills in the paint.

“I'm under the basket so I might as well grab the ball,” Quattrini said.

Even with the rough conference, while having a close knit group it's no surprise they remain undefeated.

“We just want to win a championship,” Second year start Ryan Reeder said.