As the Fresno City College basketball teams are getting ready for the upcoming season, both the men’s and women’s teams are preparing for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Both teams are focused on improving from last season pushing themselves further this year with teamwork, discipline, and growth.
Women’s head coach Alex Fletcher emphasized a key focus on improvement, both on and off the court.“Our primary goal is to get better every day,” Fletcher said.
Fletcher talked about the importance of improving individual skills and team dynamics.
“We’re focusing on growth on and off the court whether that’s improving our defense, becoming more cohesive as a team, or supporting each other in the classroom,” Fletcher said.
Despite being a young team with only a few returning players, Fletcher remains optimistic.
“The faster we can learn and gain experience, the better we’ll be,” Fletcher said.
This season, the team will focus on fast-paced play and defensive pressure. He said the team plans to wear down opponents with relentless pressure and talked about the importance of staying
disciplined and making smart decisions on the court.
“We want to push the tempo and force turnovers,” Fletcher said.
Fletcher highlighted the importance of having a positive and competitive team culture.
“It’s all about creating an environment where players feel safe and supported while also pushing each other,” Fletcher said.
Sophomore guard T’Yanna Armstrong is excited about the new group of freshmen, expressing her enthusiasm for stepping into a leadership role, focusing on positivity and team support.
“The chemistry between our players is really great, and I feel like we’re going to have a great year,” Armstrong said. Sophomore Cienna Tumoine, a returning player and point guard, talked about the importance of consistency getting in the gym. She said the work ethic of the team has gotten stronger compared to last season.
“Last year, we relied more on talent, but this year it’s all about hard work,” Tumonie said.
On the men’s side, sophomore forward Yaya Sidibe believes the team’s diversity will be a strength this season.
“We have a lot of skilled players, and that’s going to take us far,” Sidibe said.
Freshman point guard Zakee Shakoor shared his optimism for the season and described the team’s chemistry as “a bit of a rollercoaster,” but said that “when we’re locked in, we’re locked in.”
“If we follow coach’s protocol, I feel like we can win conference this year,” Shakoor said.
Both teams are looking to their community for support. Players said how important fan presence is in lifting the teams’ spirits.
“We play for the city, and we need the fans to be there for us,”Sidibe said.
