SANFORD, N.C. - Central Carolina Community College men's basketball coach Brad McDougald looks forward to coaching the 2024-2025 edition of Cougar basketball.

"This team will be led by seven returning sophomores, who were a big part of last year's team. These sophomores are mature and have a better understanding of what it takes both on and off the court to be successful," said Coach McDougald. "To say the least, they are fired up and ready to go!"

"The strengths of the year's team will be in its maturity throughout," said Coach McDougald. "Having seven sophomores is a huge advantage and their work ethic has shown in practice. This team will also have multiple players who can play multiple positions. We will be able to show many different combinations, and will be able to play at different paces."

The sophomores on the team are KJ Brooks (Burlington, N.C.), Jacob Laney (Phoenix City, Ala.), Keon Lassiter (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Jackson Lavengood (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Immanuel McClain (Raleigh, N.C.), Jesse Mitchell (New Hill, N.C.), Dontavious Pettaway (Greenville, N.C.), Jaden Rice (Raleigh, N.C.), and Thomas Stafford (Raeford, N.C.).

Freshmen are Mc'Kyi Butler (Sanford, N.C.), Manny Charley (Rochester, N.Y.), Amari Clarke (Raleigh, N.C.), Kamil Harrison (Chapel Hill, N.C.), Izeir Mayben (Albany, N.Y.), Jacoby Smith (Aiken, S.C.), and Brandon Temple (Raleigh, N.C.).

"I am excited about the potential of this team," said Coach McDougald, who praised assistant coaches Patrick Hair and Jared Gunter for their contributions.

"I am blessed to be leading this program, and do not take it for granted," said Coach McDougald. "I hope to see everyone at our first home game this season on November 8th vs Fayetteville Tech. This game will also be our 'First Responders Night.'"

The schedule:

Nov. 2 - at Southwest Virginia CC (3 p.m.), 5 - at Caldwell Tech CC (6 p.m.), 8 - Fayetteville Tech CC (7 p.m.), 10 - at University of Mt. Olive JV (3 p.m.), 13 - Gaston CC (7 p.m.), 16 - Cleveland CC (3 p.m.), 20 - at Louisburg College (7 p.m.), 23 - at Davidson-Davie CC (3 p.m.).

Dec. 3 - at Guilford Tech CC (7 p.m.), 6 - Bryant & Stratton CC (7 p.m.), 8 - Virginia Peninsula CC (2 p.m.), 14 - Catawba Valley CC (3 p.m.), 18 - at Johnston CC (7 p.m.), 28 - Cougar Classic vs. Brunswick CC (5 p.m.), 30 - Cougar Classic vs. Wake Tech CC (5 p.m.).

Jan. 3 - Sandhills CC (7 p.m.), 8 - Louisburg College (7 p.m.), 8 - Davidson-Davie CC (7 p.m.), 11 - at Catawba Valley CC (3 p.m.), 13 - at Methodist University JV (8 p.m.), 15 - at University of North Carolina JV, 18 - at Bryant & Stratton CC (3 p.m.), 26 - at Pitt CC (3 p.m.).

Feb. 1 - at Gaston CC (3 p.m.), 5 - at Sandhills CC (7 p.m.), 8 - at Cleveland CC (3 p.m.), 11 - Johnston CC (7 p.m.), 15 - Southwest Virginia CC (3 p.m.), 16 - Pitt CC (3 p.m.), 21 - at Fayetteville Tech CC (7 p.m.), 26 -Guilford Tech CC (7 p.m.).