SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College men's basketball coach Brad McDougald looks forward to coaching the 2022-2023 edition of Cougar basketball.

"This team is very talented, but really young," said Coach McDougald. "They have been learning a lot and are showing signs of becoming a great team.

"What excites me about this team is their potential. This group is super talented and really loves playing. They are embracing the process of it all. Each day, they are coming to practice ready to get better," said Coach McDougald. "This team will be able to play really fast and shoot it well."

Players on this year's team (with hometowns listed) include Tashaud Alexander (Raleigh, N.C.), Mark-Dameron Cooper (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), John Eason Jr. (Raleigh, N.C.), Trejon Fuller (Martinsville, Va.), Jacquari Johnson (Goose Creek, S.C.), Jaye Lewis (Omaha, Neb.), Jerome McKinnis (Bunnlevel, N.C.), James Matthews (Warsaw, N.C.), Timothy Mitchell (Henrico, Va.), Noe' Munn (Sanford, N.C.), Caleb Norwood (Sanford, N.C.), Andres Prince (Raleigh, N.C.), Christian Shearouse (Ayden, N.C.), Jarrod Small (Henderson, N.C.), Parker Watson (Dunn, N.C.), and Nathan Willis (Wendell, N.C.).

Also, Da'von Allen (Henderson, N.C.), Alphonzo Mason (Collinsville, Va.), Alijah Miles (Fayetteville, N.C.), Ricardo Polk (Hope Mills, N.C.), and Joshua Thompson-Parker (Fayetteville, N.C.).

"I am really excited about this year's team and the opportunity to coach them," said Coach McDougald, noting the Cougars' talent and ability to score points. "We just have to continue to work to get better and put it all together. We will be young, fast, and able to defend baseline to baseline."

The schedule:

Nov. 1 - at Louisburg College (7 p.m.), 2 - Davidson-Davie CC (7 p.m.), 5 - at Lenoir CC (3 p.m.), 7 - at Mount Olive University JV (7 p.m.), 11 - Caldwell CC & Technical College (7 p.m.), 12 - Catawba Valley CC (3 p.m.), 14 - at Methodist University JV (8 p.m.), 16 - at Cape Fear CC (6 p.m.), 18 - Fayetteville Tech CC (7 p.m.), 20 - Guilford Tech CC (3 p.m.).

Dec. 2 - at St. Andrews University JV (6 p.m.), 7 - at Guilford Tech CC (7 p.m.), 10 - Brunswick CC (3 p.m.), 16 - at Catawba Valley Tournament (5 p.m.), 17 - at Catawba Valley Tournament (1 p.m.).

Jan. 4 - at Davidson-Davie CC (7 p.m.), 7 - Louisburg College (3 p.m.), 8 - Lenoir CC (3 p.m.), 11 - Methodist University JV (7 p.m.), 14 - at Mountain Gateway CC (3 p.m.), 19 - St. Andrews University JV (7 p.m.), 22 - Oxford Emory College (1 p.m.), 25 - at Sandhills CC (7 p.m.), 28 - at Brunswick CC (3 p.m.).

Feb. 4 - Mountain Gateway CC (4 p.m.), 7 - Hosanna Bible College (7 p.m.), 14 - Sandhills CC (7 p.m.), 15 - at University of North Carolina JV (TBA), 18 - at Oxford Emory College (1 p.m.).