The men’s basketball team is looking to improve upon last year’s 8-18 record under head coach Morris Hodges and a crop of fresh faces.

The Vaqueros will have to develop leadership quickly, with only three sophomores returning this season.

The Vaqs will rely on both return and new players buying into team chemistry to have a shot at a winning season.

“Honestly, you can expect a lot from me,” said 6’3″ forward and Texas native Richard Somdah. “I like to consider myself as one of the leaders of this team, and I expect to carry us when we need to be carried.”

Somdah earned all-conference honors his first year with City College.

The Vaqueros look to continue the same fast-paced offense that lead the Western State Conference with 78.5 points per game last year.

“Our style is definitely up-tempo,” said Hodges. “Trying to push off turnovers and try to create a lot of possessions to speed the tempo up.”

Aggressive offense is a useful weapon to have in your pocket, but the common denominator for all successful teams is defense.

Hodges says that pressure defense will be used frequently, resulting in a lot of full-court presses and better half-court defensive sets—something the Vaqueros lacked when finishing games down the stretch last season.

“We have to pay a lot of attention to detail,” said Hodges. “I think our inability to close out games last year was an issue.”

Somdah feels “pretty confident” with what the Vaqueros will be able to do this season.

“We already have really good team chemistry as far as working together and pushing each other in practice,” he said. “I’m very excited to get on the court already.”

Somdah will bring a lot of versatility to the table for Vaqueros this season.

“[Somdah] brings a lot of intensity, a lot of rebounding,” said Hodges. “He gives us some good inside and outside scoring and he’s a good defensive player.”

Somdah will try to use veteran poise to relax the young squad. But concentration is a tough mantra to teach to a team comprised of 14 freshmen.

“It’s a matter of experience and knowing situations and what’s appropriate—execution wise—and not making mistakes,” Hodges said.

Freshman guard Josiah Kauhola is one of the new pieces to help win those close games. Kauhola’s style of play is well suited for Hodges’ system.

“I’m a good team player,” said Kauhola, who spent his high school years in Honolulu. “I prefer driving to the basket and passing the ball.”

Kauhola is one of many speedy guards the Vaqueros will use to fit the run-and-gun persona the team developed.

The team started the 2010 campaign going 2-5 in pre-season tournament play. The Vaqs will open conference play against West L.A. 7 p.m. Dec. 9 in the Sports Pavilion.