With Talented Crop of Freshmen, Hancock Men's Basketball Opens Season Friday at Cuesta Tournament

With an experienced point guard and a group of talented new faces, the Allan Hancock College men's basketball team opens the 2017-18 season Friday, November 3 at Cuesta College's Rabobank Tournament. Hancock will face off at 3 p.m. against West Hills Coalinga. Coming off a 14-win season, Tyson Aye returns for his fifth season as head coach.

"This is the most athletic team, top to bottom, I have ever had at Hancock," said Aye. "This is an extremely coachable group that has bought into our culture, our mission, our coaching and our strength and conditioning program."

Sophomore guard Shane Carney, who averaged 12 points and 3 assists per game as a freshman in 2015-16, returns to lead the offense. He received a medical redshirt last year after suffering an injury in the preseason.

"It is rare to have a third-year, starting point guard. He is more focused and determined this year and he will be better than ever," said Aye. "We have a lot of weapons this year, so he will be able to create more opportunities for his teammates and himself."

Thrilled to have another opportunity to play again, Carney said he worked tirelessly every day since his injury to prepare for his return.

"I have higher expectations for myself and this team," said Carney. "The biggest motivation for me during the last year was knowing where I came from and how far I want to go. I am working hard every day to improve and get there."

Santa Maria High School graduate Shemarr Parker also returns. The forward averaged 6 points and 3 rebounds his freshman season for the Bulldogs. He will return to the basketball team on a full-time basis after the college's football season ends later this month.

Aye welcomes several freshmen and transfer who are expected to play key roles. Guard Devin Davis averaged 13 points and 5 boards as a freshman for Colorado Northwestern College. Guard Kevin Baines transferred from Richard Community College where he averaged 3.4 points as a freshman. Glenn Jordan, a freshman guard from Washington, 6-foot-6 forward Trenton Mitchell, 6-foot-5 forward DJ Searcy, 6-foot-9 post player John Riddick, as well as 6-foot-7 forwards Mayowa Akinsanya and Spirit Ricks are expected to contribute this season.

"I am excited to show people what I can do," said Mitchell, who averaged 18 points and 15 rebounds per game his senior season at El Diamante High School. "I feel prepared and am ready for the season."

"We have a very young team, but we have an excellent front court and bigs. I have been really impressed how the freshmen have stepped up," said Carney. "Spirit Ricks has really impressed me. He makes the game easier for everyone else on the court and has the best basketball IQ of anyone I have every played with."

The talented newcomers provide coach Aye with tremendous depth going into the season.

"Every single player can step in and help," added Aye. "With our athleticism and length, we are going to make plays that most people may not be able to make."

Hancock opens Friday, Nov. 3 against West Hills Coalinga, before battling West Valley on Saturday and College of the Sequoias on Sunday. All three games start at 3 p.m.

In preseason polls, College of the Sequoias is ranked No. 18 in the state and No. 9 in the Northern California Regional. Last year at the Cuesta Tournament, Hancock defeated West Valley and West Hills, but dropped a 67-65 game to Sequoias.

The Bulldogs' first home game will be November 17 when they open the third annual Home Motors Tournament.