TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (January 3, 2023) – It is a new year, and the Salt Lake Community College Athletic Department is ready to seize that opportunity.
 
SLCC's Men's-and-Women's Basketball teams will be on the road this week, returning to Scenic West Athletic Conference games. SLCC will play Wednesday at the College of Southern Nevada, then will travel south to face Community Christian College in Southern California. Both SLCC teams will play CCC on Friday and Saturday. 
 
For more information and upcoming schedules, visit slccbruins.com.
 
Men's Basketball: SLCC posted a series of strong performances over the winter break, including repeating as champions of a respected preseason tournament.
 
The Bruins, who were ranked No. 1 in the country over the holidays, posted a successful defense of their 'Fiesta Bowl Junior College Shootout' title from a year ago. In the process, Salt Lake earned a strong win over then-No. 14 South Plains, along with wins over San Bernardino and Justice College.
 
As SLCC returns to Scenic West Athletic Conference play this week, Bruins coach Kyle Taylor said his team's success in Arizona will propel them back into conference play.
 
"I think the transition from non-conference play to conference play is fairly easy at this point in the season," he said. "Every game matters and is important, so it doesn't matter the opponent; we need to be ready to play and compete at a high level. The 'Fiesta Bowl' tournament is a high-level tourney, so it feels like conference play, so from that standpoint I think helps our guys out."
 
Looking ahead to this week's schedule against Southern Nevada and Community Christian, Taylor said both programs will present challenges for his team.
 
"CSN is tough,' he stated. "They are a talented group that is very dangerous. They play well at home, have a lot of swagger and energy, and are a good, well-coached team. Wednesday in Vegas will be tough, and we need to be ready to play. It's a long road trip with three games, so we need to stay focused all week."
 
Women's Basketball: SLCC had a strong showing to end its December play, going 2-1 in a holiday tournament hosted by the College of Southern Nevada.
 
With the Bruins now returning to Las Vegas this week to face off against CSN, they are hoping to build upon the No. 14 ranking they held over the holidays and firmly plant themselves atop the Scenic West Athletic Conference standings, according to SLCC coach Marcilina Grayer.
 
"Next week will be a good test for us coming off the break, and having to travel to our two furthest opponents," said Grayer, referring to road games at Southern Nevada and Community Christian. "We will be playing two teams that battle for 40 minutes."
 
After several days away from basketball, Grayer noted her team's ability to resume impressive play will be a mental exercise. 
 
"Our team being ready after break is all mental," she said. "As a staff, we will continue to echo the importance of our focus and discipline going into conference play."