Like a mad scientist, this season’s edition of City College men’s basketball combines elements of skill, chemistry, and youthful energy to explode on to the California community college hoops scene.

“Our goals are to compete for a conference championship and state play-off berth,” head coach Morris Hodges said. “We have a tough pre-season schedule that will prepare us for when conference play com

es in January.”

After a disappointing 2010 and 2011 campaign, the Vaqueros are looking to redeem the programs reputation as a contender. With only three returning team members, freshman players will have to learn quickly and step up.

“We are a young squad but we are very versatile and have a lot of depth and energy,” freshman guard Alex DiManno said. “With only a few sophomores on the team there are few freshmen who have stepped up and taken the responsibility to lead.”

DiManno and fellow freshman guard, Christopher Popov, have taken that responsibility to heart. DiManno and Popov run the floor with high intensity and elusive speed.

“Alex and Chris have shown a lot of leadership and athleticism,” Hodges said.

Although undersized, returning forward, Eric Becker from Solvang, and emerging freshman forward, Kenny Thomson, will provide strength and explosiveness in the post.

“It gives us depth and options of how we attack,” Hodges said. “We are going to be able to mix it up and move the ball, penetrate, and kick back.”

Perimeter shooting will be the Vaquero’s bread and butter with the addition of freshman guard and three point specialist, Milan Pfeisinger, hailing from Vienna, Austria. Like the Austrian glock pistol, Pfeisinger consistently hits his 17-inch wide target from more than 22 feet.

The Vaquero’s definite strength lies in its offensive weapons but its intangible strengths are its chemistry and the ability to communicate.

“We need to communicate to be successful,” Becker said. “It takes a team effort; I can take advice from a freshman too. So long as we communicate we will be good.”

Chemistry is an integral part of any hoops team. The team has the movement of a well-oiled machine with each player doing their part.

“We are like a family all working together towards a common goal,” Popov said. “Out on the court we push each other to the breaking point but when we get back to the locker room we are all really tight friends.”

Hodges thinks that youth is more of an asset than a hindrance to his squad that is eager to start competing in its

tough pre-season match ups.

“It’s going to be a matter of how quickly they pick up the level of competition and adjust to it,” Hodges said. “You can be inexperienced, but if we’re smart and aware what adjustments we have to make we will be fine.”

City College opens its pre-season schedule Friday in the San Bernardino Valley Hunter Classic against host team and play-off contender, Glendale Community College.

Eric Becker, returning forward from Solvang, jumps to score at the men’s basketball practice Friday.