Cleveland State Community College's men's and women's basketball opens their 2018-2019 season next week.
The men's team will open on Friday, November 2nd as they'll take on Gordon State College on the road. The game will be played at Roane State's basketball facility.
Last season was a success for Head Coach Lee Cigliano and the Cleveland State Cougars as they cruised to a record of 16-10 (10-8) and had advanced to the Semi-Finals of the Region VII TCCAA Tournament after defeating Chattanooga State.
The Cougars are now geared up and ready to produce yet another successful season.
The men's team had multiple players move on to the next level of play. Victor Curry signed with NCAA Division I and MEAC conference member Morgan State University while Tevin Olison signed with NCAA Division II Lincoln Memorial University. Cam Copeland also signed with NCAA Division II and Gulf South Conference member, the University of Montevallo. Returning players for the 2018-2019 season are guards Darius Turman and Collin Herron and forwards Delaino Walker and D'Monte Wright. Cleveland State has ten new faces on the team as well as a few transfers.
Head Coach Lee Cigliano commented, "October is always the time of the year for learning and figuring out roles. With that being said, replacing 85-90 percent of our scoring from last year will be challenging. My hope is our returning and new players will develop as we get into the season."
The Cleveland State Lady Cougars will open their season on the road against Snead State Community College on Tuesday, November 6th.
This will now begin the second year of Head Coach Evelyn Thompson's direction while the Lady Cougars work to secure yet another fantastic season.
The Lady Cougars finished last season with a record of 16-11 (10-8). They had reached the Semi-Finals of the Region 7 TCCAA tournament after defeating Dyersburg State Community College. The 2018-2019 women's basketball roster features four freshmen and four sophomores. Those returning to the team are Jordan Smith and Peyton Eads. These two sophomores will look to deliver guidance to the new faces on the team as they navigate the 2018-2019 season.
Head Coach Evelyn Thompson and company will look to perform like they did last year, with solid improvements across the board. The Lady Cougars are proving to be a team to watch out for this upcoming season