After a highly successful season last year, this year’s boys’ basketball team will have some big shoes to fill.

“[We have] a lot of new faces with not a lot of  experience at the varsity level but, some good senior leadership with a balance of some strong juniors that have a little bit of experience and a bunch of young talented basketball players,” head coach Mark ‘The Killer” Miller said.

With young players, the team should not be overlooked with the loss of seven seniors and no returning starters, the bulldogs have to step up and play hard.

“Last year, the senior class did a great job and we need to keep that tradition going and to all step up for the team,” junior Aaron Froehlich said.

Stepping up will help them not struggle through the season with the normal competitors.

“We always struggle with the Springfield schools because they’re bigger and a little bit older than us and have more experience. The four schools we play are at home,” Janke said.

“Those more difficult are the ones we look forward to and it would be nice for us to get off to a good start before we get too far into the season,” Miller said.

The leadership and closeness of this team at such an early start could bring victory to the dogs.

“We really need a step up in every position but I feel with the youth of the team it will balance out and Michael Janke is ready to be a man out there; he’s 6’5″ or 6’6″ and got that big agile body from soccer and can lead the way with some experience and leadership. Hunter Short has some leadership out at guard as well with some experience.” Miller said.