It was sad day for San Diego City College, and a sad day for me as a student and sports fan.

Having been at City College for a short while now and taken the prerequisite classes in health and gym, I was far from impressed for the the need to take both these classes. But looking back I am glad that I did. I have met some new friends and learned quite a bit.

My sadness, however, as the newly-appointed sports editor for City Times comes with the news that five of our top starters on the men’s basketball team are leaving.

From the coverage of my first game to now, I have become a big fan of the Knights basketball team. The young men have consistently impressed and excelled at there chosen profession. The camaraderie, teamwork and understanding among the players have been hugely impressive.

My interaction with the team has always been reciprocated in a professional, friendly and polite manner. Not once have I heard the word “I” from on of the players, regardless of how well they excelled in their individual endeavors. Every quote given to me has been in regards to the team and being one part of the bigger picture.

The departures will see Marquintice Davis going to CSU Dominguez with Latroy Taylor headed to Lubbock Christian University in Texas. The gentle giant Myles Luttman is off to Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Malcolm Thomas will be playing for San Diego State University and Thomas McGuire moves onto CSU Fullerton.

Coach Mitch Charlens said that all the sophomores that are laving “have been phenomenal, and have all been committed to their studies.”

Charlens is proud of all the young men under his guidance and went on to say that “it is part of the ups and downs of coaching; you share amazing experiences, and then they move on.”