JASON BASS – The Corsair
The Pensacola State Pirates Men’s Basketball program has a new face this year, Head Coach Pete Pena. I sat down with Coach Pena earlier this week to get some insight on his expectations for the coming season.
“Whether we deal with success or whether we deal with adversity, we want to grow and continue to get better” he explained. The big test will be how well they can bounce back from those adversities they are sure to face. “Being mentally strong as a player will not only let you deal with the game of basketball, but it will also help you deal with life,” said Pena.
That’s the point the coach hopes to instill in all his players. Learn, grow, develop and improve, in the game and in life. Although there are lots of new faces on the court this season, team chemistry doesn’t seem to be an issue, “I truly believe they care about one another. I’m very impressed with the type of young men that we have,” said Pena.
That gives him something to build on, a good foundation on which a truly magnificent team can rise from. Their first test comes at home against Jefferson Davis C.C. on November 5th during the World Ford Tip-Off Classic, game starts at 7:30pm. “We’re going to take the floor every night hoping to represent Pensacola State College the way it should be represented,” said Pena. With such solid leadership there is no doubt he will accomplish just that.