After last year’s disappointing end to what was an incredible bounce back season for the Stan State Warriors men’s basketball team, Coach Paul Trevor and his team are ready to succeed this season. 
A 17-12 finish to the 2017-2018 season put the Warriors in the playoffs, but they unfortunately saw their season come to an end with an overtime loss in San Diego.
Even after last year’s bounce back with a 17-12 record, Coach Trevor believes it’s just the start to a successful season.
“17-12 is not the end of our run, we’re looking to build off that. 17-12 is just the start, we want to host that playoff game when it comes time,” said Trevor.
Seven of the team’s players are returning and three are all conference players.
Andy Cleaves (senior) is one of the captains in his second year with the team as he studies business as his academic focus. Andy is ready get back on the court and win.
“We’re ready to win, that’s the goal,” Cleaves said. “We believe we can push past where we were last season and get better.” 
Returning players Tyrian Davis (Senior, Communications) and Xavier Francois (Senior, Psychology) are looking to lead by example for the new players on the team. 
“If you lead by example they will follow,” said Davis. “As long as we give it our all, they will be right behind us, giving their all as well.” 
Cleaves also chimed in about not just giving it your all on the court, but in every aspect.
“Being on time is key too, not just a minute or two, but fifteen, sometimes thirty minutes early. Get stretched out, get ready for practice, hustle for the ball when it goes out, not just jog after it, it all matters,” Cleaves said. 
Rolaun Dunham (senior, Kinesiology) unfortunately suffered an injury that kept him out for most of the year last season, but he is ready to get back on the court this season.
“I feel like I’m ready to play, my confidence level is very high. I’m focused and ready to get back out there and play,” said Dunham.
Coach Paul Trevor is in his second year coaching the team and knows he has a great team on his hands, both on and off the court.
“These guys do so much off the court as well as on the court. They’ve volunteered at places like Jessica’s House along with other community services,” Trevor said. Jessica’s House provides grief support for local children, teens, young adults, and their families. “The most important thing that they do though, is that they handle their academics so that they are able to play,” said Trevor. 
These players and their coach are ready for another great year and believe they can push past what they did last season and host that playoff game, but they also need your help as fans.
“We want to let people know that if they come out and support us, we are going to put on a show,” said Trevor. “People should come because they will like what they see, they will see the growth in the program that we have established and are looking to build on.” 
“The crowd is something that pushes us to another level of play, it’s having the crowd having your backs that push us to play even better than we were before,” said Cleaves. “The more eyes we can get in the stands, the better. I hope people come out and support us, we are here and ready to play for the people who come out.” 
The Warriors play three away games to start their season, but return home to take on Fresno Pacific for their first home game of the season on Nov. 20. 
Don’t miss your chance to come watch a great game; get out to the arena and support your Warriors and they will put on a show for you!
If you thought 17-12 and making the playoffs was a good season, this team was a sweet sixteen team no more than four seasons ago and they are ready to get back to their prime. Fill in those seats and enjoy the show!