Basketball season is officially underway at Lambton College.

On Wednesday night, the Lions will take to the hardwood for the Ninth Annual Blue & White Games in advance of the 2019-20 season. The women’s game will feature this year’s team squaring off against some of the program’s alumni, while the men’s game will showcase the 2019-20 roster split up into two teams.

Wednesday night is a great way for fans of the Lions to get an early-look at the teams this season. The student-athletes have been working hard to hone their skills ahead of the new campaign, and some friendly competition against one another will only add to their development, both individually and as a team.

The event also marks the first game action for several newcomers to the Lions family. Led by third-year players Morgan Wagg and Ashleigh Pettit, the women’s team will have a healthy mix of youth and experience on their roster this season. A total of six first-year players will don a Lions jersey in 2019-20, injecting the roster with some new talent to compliment the returnees.

Last season, the Lions posted a record of 12-8 in the OCAA West Division. Their season came to an end with a heartbreaking loss to the Durham Lords in their playoff crossover game, 72-70.

On the men’s side of things, the bulk of the roster from last year is back for another run at the OCAA Championship, a title that the Lions will look to win on their home floor. Wednesday night kicks off an exciting season for the men’s program, as they will be gearing up to host the 2020 OCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. A total of seven newcomers will see their first action in a Lions uniform as part of the Blue & White Game.

Veterans Tyvell Peters (Team Blue) and Jason Watts (Team White) will serve as Team Captains, and both selected their roster in a closed-door draft.

The Lions posted a 10-10 record last season in the West Division. Lambton advanced to the 2019 OCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, posting a record of 0-2 at the event.

The women’s game tips off at 6 p.m. with the men’s game to follow at approximately 8 p.m. The games will take place inside the Lambton College athletics & Fitness Complex, and admission is free to both games.

Both games will also be streamed online for those who can’t make it to the event.

Here are the rosters for the event: