Auvria Hampton, Staff Reporter

Being an Otter is doing “whatever it takes,” said 
women’s basketball coach Amber Magner, and as CSU Monterey Bay Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams gear up for the new season, they are doing just that.
Magner and the team’s new assistant coach, David Wingard, are ready for this upcoming season. Their goal for the year is to compete in the CAA 
tournament. This is the first year that the CSUMB Women’s Basketball Team can compete in the tournament, which takes the top eight teams from 
the conference.
To accomplish this goal Magner said “we need to be team oriented, fast 
and intense.”
Guard For the CSUMB Otters, Britnea Moore said, “since we can compete in the tournament, it will inspire all the girls to play hard and achieve our goal.”
This year you will see seven new faces on the women’s team, five new players and two red shirts. “This is a great mix [and] a great fit. Working as a cohesive unit will determine how successful they are as a team, because without that, they have nothing,” said Magner.
This season Magner expects the girls to stand apart, be special and set the example for others to follow.
Going into his second season as the Men’s Basketball Coach Pat Kosta, is ready to build on the foundation set last year. “Last season we established a culture, set the groundwork and I hope to build on that this year” he said.
“We are brining back the most starters and returnees from the conference. Our team will have the most experience.” Mitchell also said “the team’s goal is to make the playoffs,” said Forward Joe Mitchell.
“We have a lot of talent on the team.” As far as the new players go “they have taken us under their wing, and welcomed us with open arms,” added New player Trey Mullen.
With the new players on board, Kosta emphasizes that the new players can only add to the positive dynamic of the team. “The recruitment process is just as much about character as it is talent,” said Kosta.
As conditioning for the men’s team gets underway, Kosta expects every player to play with heart and compete with passion. Kosta will bring strong leadership, guidance, and flexibility to maximize the performance of the team, so they may achieve their goal.
This season both teams look strong and only time will tell if these Otters really have what it takes.