When compared to the history of Quincy Brewer’s tenure as head coach of the San Bernardino Valley College men’s basketball team, the 2023-24 season will be seen as a “down” year.

The Wolverines finished the season with a 21-10 record, finishing in a tie for third place in the Inland Empire Athletic Conference.

And yet, they were minutes away from a third consecutive trip to the State Elite Eight.

So, in an effort to bounce back from the frustration from the 23-24 season, Brewer has gone out and brought in a squad that has impressed in showcases and is ranked No. 2 in Southern California according to the preseason poll by the California Community College Men’s Basketball Coaches Association.

The Wolverines return three players from last season’s team, including point guard Jason Lee. He was second on the team in points per game a season ago, averaging 15.3 points per game, while also handing out 7.2 assists per game. He also set the school record for assists in a single game, when he had 17 against Barstow in February.

Also returning are forward/center Benjamin Byrd. The forward/center out of Arrowhead Christian Academy, averaged 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while only averaging 14 minutes per game. He is joined by fellow forward Derrick Nettles (Moreno Valley Rancho Verde), who returns after missing the 23-24 season due to injury.

The road back to the postseason does not figure to be easy, as the Wolverines will take on some of the top teams in the state this season. After opening the season against LA Pierce on Nov. 2, the Wolverines will once again host the Alvin Hunter Classic on Veterans Day weekend. Six of the eight teams playing in the tournament are ranked in their region, including Northern California’s No. 2 team – and defending Hunter Classic champion – City College of San Francisco. Southern California ranked teams in the event include No. 4 Moorpark, No. 7 East Los Angeles, No. 11 West Los Angeles, and No. 19 Santa Monica.

The Wolverines will also take on the preseason No. 1 team in Southern California, Fullerton, Nov. 20, then will head to Santa Monica on Nov. 26, before embarking on conference play, where there are four other teams in the preseason top 20 – No. 5 Chaffey, No. 14 Cerro Coso, No. 16 Mt. San Jacinto, and No. 20 Barstow.