By Dante’ Davis
College of Southern Nevada’s men’s basketball team’s 2023 to 2024 season was unfortunately a losing one, going 5-21 with 1-11 in conference. Morale was low with hopes for a stronger next season.
According to the National Junior College Athletic Association, this season left the Coyotes unranked nationally compared to last season of 2022 to 2023 when the Coyotes finished 14-16 with 8-10 in conference. Although this was still a losing record, it was ranked 83rd nationally amongst junior colleges.
CSN athletics official website recorded specific stats and performances for the season. Allowing opponents an average of 88.8 points per game when CSN averaged 75.9 points per game. Having a low 3-point percentage at 31% and low free throw percentage at 64% severely impacted its chance of winning each game. If CSN’s stats improved, it would help lead to more winning outcomes.
“This season was a learning process for all involved,” Assistance Head Men’s Basketball Coach Che Jones said. “We had a lot of guys who were in the midst of their first college experience, and at times, it showed. However, there were times where their youth and inexperience were their superpower!”
Starting Forward for the Coyotes Isaiah “KD” James said, “I personally feel like I contributed and performed the best I could on and off the court. I averaged 10 ppg. I honestly just had a talk with my coach earlier today about my future and I feel I didn’t gain anything from this past season.” Expressing his frustration from the season, James is receiving help from his coaching staff on opportunities that could emerge to further his basketball career.
Guard Felix Reeves said, “I didn’t play because I was a medical redshirt but to be very honest it wasn’t how I expected it at all with all the trials and tribulations we had to go through.” Reeves is holding off on his decision to stay at CSN to determine the best path for his career. “Depending on who they recruit could be another reason why I decide not to stay but as of right now that’s not important.”
Reeves considered his injury and his new appreciation for the game, and reflected on what he and his team could have done better this season. He said more positivity toward each other in the locker room — picking each other up — including the coaching staff, would have helped. He thought the little things mattered such as coaches and players coming more prepared to practice, the importance of preparing with weightlifting and strength training, and being fully present would have helped.
Coach Jones said, “Our goals next season are to be more mature as a group. It would be great to see the experiences from this season’s returnees be examples for next season’s newcomers. So growth is a major focus for us or any program in its second year for that matter.”
He added, “We … want his program’s character to be one of the highest morale; a program that local high school coaches and parents can point to as an example of what student athletes look and act like. We want to help families build their young men into the type of men who become responsible husbands, fathers, employees, etc. We’re confident that those types of players usually come in great defenders, great rebounders, hustlers, etc. and if not, their character and hard work makes them easy to coach and quick learners.”
Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada 