Horns basketball ready for challenging preseason games

By Lethbridge Herald on October 13, 2022.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s basketball team have split from their training sessions into their exhibition season schedule  today at McGill University feeling pretty good about the direction of the team.

“No injuries, which is always  a good thing,” said Horns head coach Jermaine Small.

“Like I mean we’ve returned eight guys which always helps, and you know obviously there’s currency with them that they kind of know what to expect. And then we have five new guys, that the (leaders) do a good job of leading.  But so far I’ve been impressed with some of the guys — some of the new guys have kind of picked up very quickly of what we want to do and trying to accomplish.”

Small feels as though the team is ahead of last year at this time.

The Horns opened up their preseason with a 76-70 win over the Lethbridge College Kodiaks on Wednesday and then have three games at Montreal’s McGill University this  weekend and then conclude the preseason in Montana at the end of the month.

“We’re going to the McGill tournament this weekend, which is going to be really good,” he said.

“I mean McGill won their league last year, University of Ottawa is always a top five school in the country the last probably decade  and  then St. Mary’s always has a lot of talent. So the good thing is we get to play three different teams from three different leagues, different conferences (and) so that poses a new challenge. I think just moving forward, I think we’re just more ready than we were last year and we want to see where we’re at.”

Small said it’s very much a resemblance of a playoff schedule or at nationals.

“It’s going to be a good test,” he said

“But I think it’s good to see where we’re at right now and it will be a little bit easier come the season.”

Small’s approach is you really don’t who your group is in terms of meshing and mental toughness until adversity is faced.

“I think that’s what the preseason is for,” said Small.

“You want to see what your identity is and if it’s going to get tough (and) they stick together  or they unravel. I know we’re going to get that this weekend like we’re going to be in some tough moments — we’re not at home, travel. There’s a bunch of factors that are going to test our character and I think that’s what the preseason is for.”

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