It has been an exciting pre-season for the Nipissing Lakers men's basketball and now it's time to start the real season.
The Lakers had a great experience and an impressive record in exhibition action this year which they're hoping translates to success during the regular season.
First, the Lakers had an early training camp in Spain, where the team also went 3-0 to kickoff the year.
The trip proved to be a strong team-bonding experience, as well as got them some time on the court, where they got a head start on some of the competition.
Overall, the team went 6-3 in exhibition play, 3-0 in Spain, 1-2 in Saskatoon at the Graham Shootout hosted by the University of Saskatchewan and 1-1 in their two other matchups.
The team is made up of a solid returning core led by fifth year players
Marcus Lewis,
Jordan Roberts,
Ismael Kaba,
Marvin Ngonadi and
Jerron Rhodes.
They have also added a trio of true freshmen, as well as three transfers who come with USports experience.
Russell Baker,
Girece Kazumba and
Ammar Hassan come to the Lakers by way of transfer, while Nicholas Fambegbe,
Aleks Novicic and
Jason Little are the rookies on this year's roster.
Nipissing has a solid group of players who know their role and fit into the system very well – no matter what they're asking to do.
It's that team-first mentality that will go a long way in having a successful campaign.
Last season, the team came up short of the post-season, finishing with an 8-15 record.
They will look at getting back into the playoffs, where they were in 2016, when they hosted a first round game and came away with a thrilling victory.
The goal is simple – playoffs and then put together a success run. Easier said than done, but the pieces are there, now it's just a matter of making it happen on the court.
The Lakers begin the regular season on the road Halloween Night at Laurentian University in Sudbury.
They will host their home opener later this week, hosting the Lakehead Thunderwolves Friday night with tip-off set for 8pm at the RJS Athletic Centre.
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Lakers Home Games
Date                                                                     Away                    Home        Time
Friday, November 02, 2018Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â LAKEHEADÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NIPISSINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8:00 PM
Friday, November 09, 2018Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â MCMASTERÂ Â Â Â Â Â NIPISSINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 10, 2018Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BROCKÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NIPISSINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8:00 PM
Friday, November 30, 2018Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â WESTERNÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â NIPISSINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8:00 PM
Saturday, December 01, 2018Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â WINDSORÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â NIPISSINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8:00 PM
Friday, January 04, 2019Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â YORKÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NIPISSINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8:00 PM
Saturday, January 05, 2019Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â QUEEN'SÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NIPISSINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8:00 PM
Friday, January 11, 2019Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OTTAWAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NIPISSINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8:00 PM
Saturday, January 12, 2019Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â CARLETONÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NIPISSINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8:00 PM
Friday, February 01, 2019Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â LAURENTIANÂ Â Â Â NIPISSINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8:00 PM
Friday, February 08, 2019Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â RYERSONÂ Â Â Â Â Â NIPISSINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8:00 PM
Saturday, February 09, 2019Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â TORONTOÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â NIPISSINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8:00 PM
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