Lakers Season Comes to an End on the Road

UTICA, N.Y. - The Finger Lakes Community College Men's Basketball team saw their season come to an end on the road in Utica, N.Y. The Lakers traveled to Mohawk Valley Community College to compete in the opening round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region III, Division III Men's Basketball tournament. The Lakers put up a fight against the Hawks, going into the break trailing by five, 28-33. In a back and forth contest, the Lakers couldn't narrow the gap, ultimately falling by a score of 57-68.

Mid-State Athletic Conference, All-Conference selection Devon Payton (Rochester, N.Y./ Gates Chili) enjoyed a productive outing on offense, dropping in 25 points, dishing out 2 dimes and pulling in 3 offensive boards. On defense, Payton remained active, snagging a game-high 5 steals, to go along with 1 defensive rebound. 

Teammate Jevonte Williams (Rochester, N.Y./ Rush Henrietta) added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 1 steal in 40 minutes of play, while Ben Waterman (Savannah, N.Y.) put together an all-around game with 5 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 steal.

Freshman CJ James (Victor, N.Y./ Victor) put together another impressive game, scoring 6 points, dishing out 2 assists and pulling down 2 offensive rebounds on offense. On defense, James pulled down 5 boards and grabbed a steal and block apiece. Teammate Paxton Creek (Kalagoorie, Australia/ Eastern Goldfields) came off the bench and added in 5 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal. 

Austin Franklin (Hunstville, A.L./ Prince George) pulled in 3 rebounds and dished out an assist, while teammate Mysiah Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y./ Abraham Lincoln) pulled in 3 rebounds in 6 minutes of play.

With the loss, the Lakers season comes to an end, one with many ups-and-downs. However, down the stretch, the Lakers made strides in all facets of the game to remain competitve and earn a spot to compete for a NJCAA Region III championship.

Lakers' Head Coach Richard Jones concludes his final season with the team, enjoying a Hall of Fame career and compiling a record of 326 wins to 210 losses over a 19-year coaching stint. Jones boasts 3 Mid-State Athletic Conference (MSAC) Championships, 4 MSAC Coach of the Year awards, and one of his greatest achievements, a NJCAA Region III championship.

The Lakers conclude their season and look ahead to to the 2022-23' Winter Season under long-time Assistant Coach, and newly appointed Head Coach, Jeffrey Weaver with high-hopes for another successful campaign.