Nigel Long is entering his first season as head coach of the Liberty basketball program and hopes he can kick off his inaugural campaign with success amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hurricanes return a healthy dose of players from last year’s team that went 20-6 and reached the East Penn Conference championship.

Back for the ‘Canes include Antonio Montgomery (6-4 Sr. F); Rondell McNeil (6-1 Sr. G); Alijah Cannon (6-3 Sr. G); Joseph Barnes (6-1 Jr. G); Josh Farrell (5-9 Jr. G) and Jovonnie Nunez (5-10 Sr. G).

Newcomers this year are Angel Holguín (6-5 Fr. F); Nazjah Jones (6-3 Jr. F); Nate Rivera (5-10 Soph. G); Nasir Rosa (5-9 Jr. G); Derek Wescoe (6-0 Soph G) and Isaiah Huskey (6-6 Soph F).

“We are returning several players from a very successful team last year,” said Long. “We are hoping to lean on those veteran players throughout the season. We have an athletic group that has done a great job of bringing energy each day to practice. We are excited to have an opportunity to compete this upcoming season.

Liberty opens the season on January 21 against Northampton.