Lambton College is set to tip off the new season of Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) basketball this weekend.
The men's and women's team are hosting a double header Saturday afternoon against the University of Toronto-Mississauga.
It will be the last season the teams play at the old gym, before moving into the new fitness centre next season.
"Ten years in that old gym, it's going to be a bit bitter sweet to leave it. When teams came here on the road it was always a hostile environment. It's going to be a little sad to see it go but at the same time we're really excited for the new facility," says Lions Head Coach James Grant.
Lead by a pair of fifth year guards in Brandon Padgett and Jason Marshell, Grant says the team should be in good shape going into the season.
"We're a bit deeper than we have been in the past, overall we have a pretty athletic group that we think can win us some games," he says.
The men's program picked up a couple preseason victories against some NCAA Division Three schools from Ohio, which Grant believes bodes well for the season ahead. The women's team also enjoyed a relatively successful exhibition schedule.
Despite the strike by faculty at Ontario Community Colleges, Grant says it doesn't impact the OCAA season.
The Lady Lions tip off at 2pm Saturday at Northern Collegiate, with the men's team to follow at 4pm.
