Vincent Abbondola, Pierre St. Simon identify the fixes for Suffolk CC

It hasn't been the start that Vincent Abbondola and Pierre St. Simon had hoped for.

Four losses to open the 2014-15 season? Really? It's true. But Abbondola and St. Simon aren't at a loss for words as to how it has happened.

Abbondola and St. Simon have the answers as the leaders of the Suffolk CC men's basketball team. At this early stage, each said it starts with taking better care of the basketball and executing Coach Victor Correa's system.

"Guys haven't seen this talent yet," said Abbondola, who is leading the Sharks in points per game (14.2). "We need to cut down on turnovers and stop giving the other team the ball. It seems we're a little nervous out there."

St. Simon agreed. The sophomore forward is one of only two returning players from last season. The other is Abbondola.

"We're a young team getting used to Coach's system," said St. Simon, who stands 6-4, 200 pounds. "It's about defense first. We run a 3-2. We got to get used to playing the defense that Coach likes. Once we get that, we'll be all right. It's the adjustment. The competition is better here."

Coming off a season in which it was ranked sixth in the nation at one point, Correa said, the Sharks aren't used to climbing uphill.

"The most important thing that we have to understand at this level is that it's hard to step in and be successful right away," Correa said. "Usually, when guys come here, they're not ready physically and mentally to compete at a high level. As long as we're making strides, we'll be OK."

Right below Abbondola in points per game for the Sharks is St. Simon at 7.5. But scoring isn't what has concerned St. Simon. He likes what he sees in the motion offense. It's the Sharks' inability to quickly fix what has been going wrong on defense.

"It's new to these guys," St. Simon said. "Some guys are out of position, especially defensively. It's been about not sliding your feet the proper way because they're not familiar with the 3-2."

How does St. Simon want to see the defense play in its next game against Dutchess CC at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Selden campus? Lock up and don't give your opponent an inch.

"Guard the perimeter and make sure you're able to match up well inside," St. Simon said. "It's about playing hard, don't be nervous, follow me and Vinny. Hustle and play every play 100 percent. We got to play with more heart at the end of games. Find a way to win."

Sophomore swingman John Peloso hasn't always seen that tenacity on both ends of the floor. In the Sharks' Region XV opening loss to Queensborough, Correa said his club "didn't compete for 40 minutes."

To Peloso, that's unacceptable. "It's about not slacking off during games," he said. "We talk to each other about it. I have no idea why it happens. There's no need for that. I'm starting to see in practice lately that we're getting more and more mature as a team."

One game at a time, Correa said, hoping the Sharks are in better shape recordwise by midseason.