BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Northampton men's basketball team will open the 2016-17 campaign on Friday night in Utica, NY when they face Jefferson Community College in the first round of the Torchia Classic, hosted by Mohawk Valley Community College. 

The Spartans, who return six players from the 2015-16 squad, will look to build off last year's regional playoff berth and 10-8 conference record.  "In theory, we should be a little more seasoned," commented Head Coach Brennan McCarthy, "last year our entire squad was freshmen, and though they were talented, it is still a big adjustment from high school to the college level.  Our sophomores have really matured and have been tremendous leaders during the preseason."

McCarthy (24-28) enters his third season at the helm of the Spartans, optimistic about 2016-17, "If we stay healthy and get a few breaks along the way, we should be in the running in February.  Obviously, in this Region you need to be prepared every night ... if you don't come prepared to play, you will get beat.  We need to stay focused, play defense and execute the fundamentals."

All EPAC performer Juan Perez-Jones (Morrisville, PA/Pennsbury ) returns as does Tyerell Mann (East Stroudsburg, PA /Notre Dame - East Stroudsburg ), Joe Cartegena, Edwin Lopez (East Stroudsburg, PA /Stroudsburg ), Justin Kellman (Reading, PA /Reading ) and Justin Kusiappouh (East Stroudsburg, PA /East Stroudsburg North ).  Transfers Jerrel Burke (Morrisville, PA/Pennsbury ) and Isaiah Hinton-Gray join a talented group of freshman on McCarthy's 17 man roster. 

"We will learn a lot about ourselves this weekend," remarked McCarthy, "it will not make or break us, but it will give us a good barometer of what we need to work on prior to Region play."