Coming off a year in which they won just six of 25 games and none within NJCAA Region 3 Division II, the Jayhawks open the 2018-19 season tonight at Tompkins-Cortland CC with a decidedly rosier outlook.

How does one know?

One look at Coach George Sisson’s face says it all.

“Last year was something that if you’re in this business long enough you go through one of those,” Sisson said. “If it happens the first time, shame on them. If it happens a second time, shame on you. We worked really hard in recruiting.”

Members of the Jamestown Community College men’s basketball team, in front, from left, are: Jules Smith, Nathan Pelissier, Jaleel Gilliam, Gassy Tchinkati, Jared Fish, Brian Mosquea, Raekwan Canty and T’Shaka Hamm. In back are: Roshawn Reaves, Tyairus Sands, Rashawd Clowney, Chris Robson, Rashawn Clowney, Trayon Rumley, Kenneth Jernigan Jr. and Marcus Heard. Submitted photo

The fourth-year coach will get to see the fruits of his labor tonight.

“We’re going to be a much-improved team,” Sisson said. “One, we’re a little bit older. I’ve got some guys who are 22-23 years old and my younger guys are bigger, thicker stronger, and I think we have a different makeup. This is a team that is going to get better as the season goes on.”

“We’ll have some successes and we’re going to have some non-successes, but I think this team has that ‘it’ factor to compete,” Sisson added.

Tonight’s starters will include guards Chris Robson (Sherman/Sherman), the lone returning player from last year, Kenny Jernigan (Hartford, Conn./Manchester) and Raekwan Canty (Hartford, Conn./Manchester); and forwards Brian Mosquea (New York, N.Y./ George Washington); and Jared Fish (Salamanca/Salamanca).

Robson, who averaged in double figures last year and is dangerous from beyond the arc, is 6-foot, Jernigan is 5-9, Canty is 6-4, Mosquea is 6-3 and Fish, who originally went to SUNY Fredonia, is 6-7.

“We have height, but don’t have an abundance of height,” Sisson said. “We have some good ruggedness, we shoot the ball decently from the perimeter and we have a couple of point guards who are getting better.”

Sisson also noted that his team’s “calling card” will be its defense.

“Defense has to travel. Don’t leave home without it, baby,” he said. “You’ve got to be able to play defense, play it smart, aggressive and in the framework of a team.”

Offensively, the Jayhawks will run.

“We’re going to get up and down,” Sisson said. “People are going to enjoy watching us play.”

Sisson maintains, in fact, that the second group is pushing the starters. They include guard Marcus Heard (Detroit, Mich./Warren Mott), forward Nate Palissier (Paris, France), forwards Rashawd and Rashawn Clowney (Belair, Md./Patterson Mills), guard Trayon Rumley (New Haven, Conn./Maloney), guard Tyairus Sands (Waterbury, Conn/JFK), forward Jaleel Gilliam (Indianapolis/Trader Point Christian Academy) and guard Roshawn Reaves (Columbus, Ohio/Walnut Ridge).

Also competing for playing time will be guard T’Shaka Hamm (Harlem/Cardinal Hayes), guard Jules Smith (Bronx/Our Savior Lutheran) and forward Gassy Tchinkafi (Paris, France).

“I’m definitely going to ‘cook’ this year with no measuring cups,” Sisson said. ” … I’m just going to keep going. I really like the guys. … The reason we’re at 16 right now is because I couldn’t cut to 15.”

After tonight’s game, the Jayhawks will host the Crossover Classic over the weekend where they’ll take on Broome CC at 5 p.m. Saturday and Corning CC at 1 p.m. Sunday.

“I like where we’re at,” Sisson said. “I’ve got to be careful where I don’t over-coach them. You’ve got to have a little bit of crazy to be good. It’s OK to have a few cracks in the drywall. It gives you a little personality. … We might look like we’re in a blender at times, but milkshakes come out of a blender.”

Getting off to a smooth start on the road tonight would be especially refreshing for the Jamestown CC coach.

“I like where we’re at,” Sisson said.

SCHEDULE

Nov. 1: at Tompkins-Cortland CC, 7 p.m.

Nov. 3: Broome CC, 5 p.m.

Nov. 4: Corning CC, 1 p.m.

Nov. 8: Pitt-Titusville, 7 p.m.

Nov. 14: at Lakeland CC, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 19: at Pitt-Titusville, 7 p.m.

Nov. 27: at Cuyahoga CC, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 3: at Lorain County CC, 7 p.m.

Dec. 5: Butler County CC, 7 p.m.

Dec. 7: Columbus State CC, 7 p.m.

Dec. 8: Lakeland CC, 2 p.m.

Dec. 11: at CC of Allegheny County, 6 p.m.

Dec. 15: Sinclair CC, 3 p.m.

Dec. 19: Lorain County CC

Jan. 9: at Butler County CC, 7 p.m.

Jan. 12: CC of Allegheny County, 1 p.m.

Jan. 19: vs. Herkimer College at MCC Tourney, 5 p.m.

Jan. 23: Mercyhurst North East, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26: at Niagara County CC, 3 p.m.

Jan. 30: at Erie CC, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2: at Monroe CC, 3 p.m.

Feb. 6: Genesee CC, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 9: at Mercyhurst North East, 3 p.m.

Feb. 13: Erie CC, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 16: Niagara County CC, 3 p.m.

Feb. 20: at Genesee CC, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 23: Monroe CC, 3 p.m.