After a productive offseason, the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams are jumping into their 2023-2024 season.
Both teams officially start play Nov. 11 on the road against Kalamazoo Community College.
Retooled and reloaded
Last season the Women’s team had an impressive record of 20-4, the best performance the program has seen since 2015-2016., The Ocelots also made a run in the playoffs winning their NJCAA Great Lakes District A Semi-Final 63-48 win against Oakland Community College but fell just short in the District Finals, 69-66, against Lakeland Community College ending their season and dreams for a national tournament bid.
Key losses to graduation were Eve Parish (1st Team All-Conference, All-Region and All-MCCAA), Hunter Conway (2nd Team All-Conference), Ruby Garner (3rd Team All-Conference and All-Defensive Team), Makaiya Thomas (HM All-Conference) and Samantha Smith (All-Defensive Team).
Coach Shay Lewis has retooled and reloaded her roster and will rely on returning players’ experience as well as growing incoming players to continue the momentum from last season. Returning players are Aliyah Thilavanh, Kyra Lawrence, Aniyah Gamble, Halle Rogers, Demi Rodriguez, Sydney McCaig and Taylor Williams. Incoming players to the squad include Siena Mcnitt, Garyana Overton, Taylor Sullivan, Nevaeh Cable, Sharon Smith, Erin Young and Tailaya Garrison.
Rebuilding the foundation
The Men’s team is rebuilding, after a subpar season in 22-23 with a record of 2-22. The Ocelots have only two returning players on the squad Ashton Henderson and Keon Henderson. New additions for this season include sophomores Ben Canty and Daniel Lee, and freshmen Amare Stevens, Machki Jackson, Te’John McGowan, Makell Johnson-Dobbs, Desmond Slaughter, Semaj Sanders, Noah Rainge, Mackenzie Canty, , Marshall Thorn and Kechan Johnson.
The team played two games earlier this month when they traveled to Vincennes, IN and played against Vincennes University (Nov. 3) and Shawnee CC (Nov. 4). The Ocelots recorded two losses on the trip falling short in both games 86-45 and 63-62.
Finding team chemistry early in the season will be key for Head Coach EJ Haralson and the Ocelots with the bulk of the team being new to the program.
With both teams adding many newcomers to its rosters, Women’s Head Coach Shay Lewis and Men’s Head Coach EJ Haralson hopefully have enough new talent to take these two teams to national championships in 2024.
For up to date game recaps, rosters and schedules go to www.schoolcraftocelots.com
