A group of seniors and guards highlight this year’s Cordova High School boys basketball team.

Cordova head coach Fletcher Johnson welcomes back four seniors, all of whom saw significant playing time last season as juniors. The Lancers posted an 8-2 record in the Sierra Valley Conference for second place and 17-12 overall last season.

Heading the list is guard Jason Novik, who averaged 10.5 points per game last season. He’s listed on the team’s roster at 6-foot-2. Joining Novik is Najee Clark, another senior. Frontcourt players rounding out the list of seniors returning are Nik Trachuk and Mike Brown, who are 6’1 and 6-foot respectively.

“We have some leadership, shooting abilities,” Fletcher said.

Moving up to the varsity squad from last year’s Cordova junior varsity hoops squad is guard Markell Briggs, who hovers at 6’1. Briggs and Novik could be part of a three-guard starting line-up, Fletcher noted.

“There will be times we’ll have four guards and whatever post-player we can find,” Johnson said. “It’s all about the guard play.”

Calvin Augusta, a wide receiver on the Cordova football team that won a share of the SVC title last month, is another guard, also a junior. Another football player who is now sporting basketball shoes is Tyreke Tate, also a wing player.

In the early stages of the pre-season, the Lancers are looking to establish a rotation of players coming off the bench to join the starters.

“All of the things you have to do to build that team camaraderie,” Johnson said.

As for the team to beat in the SVC, Johnson is picking Union Mine, which returns most of its starters from last season. He feels his squad and Liberty Ranch will battle the Diamondbacks.

“They are the team to beat,” said Johnson of Union Mine.

On Monday, Cordova opened its season at Vista del Lago of Folsom in the Sac-Joaquin Section’s Foundation Game. Admission from the game and others played in the section goes toward A. Dale Lacky Scholarship and Women in Sports Conference. The Lancers fell to the Eagles by an 85-70 score.

“Just getting up and down the floor, set the tone,” said Johnson prior to the game. “Then defense, block out, rebound and execute offensively. That’s where we’re going to hang our hats.”

On Tuesday, Cordova officially started its season at Wood of Vacaville. In overtime, the Lancers lost 73-69.

On Wednesday, Cordova played its first home game against Mira Loma. Tomorrow, Saturday, Cordova plays at Grant in another pre-season game, with a 6 p.m. start time.

Next Tuesday, the Lancers host Rocklin, also a pre-season game that is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m.