SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College men's basketball coach Brad McDougald looks forward to coaching the 2021 edition of Cougar basketball.

"This year's team will be led by seasoned returners with some very talented freshmen coming in. We will be able to play fast and really score the basketball at a high pace," said CCCC men's basketball coach Brad McDougald. "I look forward to seeing every young man grow both on and off the court."

Returning players (with high school and hometowns listed) are point guard Josh Bell (Purnell Swett H.S., Maxton), guard Darnell Carver (Western Harnett H.S., Lillington), guard/forward Montel Moore (Cape Fear H.S., Fayetteville), forward Abu Thiam (Wakefield H.S., Raleigh), and point guard Camaron Womble (Millbrook H.S., Raleigh).

"All of these guys are expected to play big roles in this year's success," said Coach McDougald. "They will be expected to lead the team and be a model for the program. Best thing about this group is that they will all graduate this year, which is a very big part of the program's mission."

The other sophomore on the team is newcomer Jacob Thornton (South Johnston H.S., Dunn).

Freshmen on this year's team (with high school and hometowns listed) are Wesley Case (Eastern Wayne H.S., Goldsboro), Joseph Conwell (Lee County H.S., Sanford), Randy Freeman (Word of God Christian Academy, Raleigh), Derek Gardner (Topsail H.S., Hampstead), Sabastian Haidera (John T. Hoggard H.S., Wilmington), Naklee Hayburn (Ramon Jose Davilla H.S., Castle Hayne), Thomas Hendricks (Seventy-First H.S., Fayetteville), Antonio Jones (Pine Forest H.S., Fayetteville), Jamison Long (Topsail H.S., Hampstead), Jaylen Moore (Overhills H.S., Fayetteville), Tucker Moore (Jordan-Matthews H.S., Siler City), Jonathan Shutt (Faith, Hope and Charity Christian Homeschool, Siler City), Parker Watson (Cape Fear Christian Academy, Dunn), and Kenneth Winfield (Northside H.S., Pantego).

"What excites me about this year's team is that they are very unselfish and enjoy playing and competing every day," said Coach McDougald. "I have some really talented freshmen coming in and I look forward to their personal growth, which will translate to the team."

The schedule:

Jan. 22 - at Guilford Tech CC (7 p.m.), 24 - at Patrick Henry CC (3 p.m.), 27 - Louisburg College (7 p.m.).

Feb. 8 - Bryant & Stratton (6 p.m.), 10 - Lenoir CC (7 p.m.), 13 - Guilford Tech CC (5 p.m.), 15 - at Fayetteville Tech CC (7 p.m.), 18 - at Louisburg College (7 p.m.), 27 - at Catawba Valley CC (3 p.m.).

March 3 - Patrick Henry CC (7 p.m.), 8 - Fayetteville Tech CC (7 p.m.), 10 - Catawba Valley CC (7 p.m.), 11 - at Davidson-Davie CC (3 p.m.), 17 - Sandhills CC (7 p.m.), 20 - Davidson-Davie CC (3 p.m.), 24 - at Lenoir CC (7 p.m.), 28 - at Bryant & Stratton (3 p.m.), 31 - at Sandhills CC (7 p.m.).