It isn’t a secret that for the past few years, both junior varsity and varsity boys’ basketball have been struggling.  The main problem for both teams has been consistency.  At points, both teams have looked as though they could make legitimate championship runs, and at others they seemed to be struggling to keep their heads above the water. The Wildcat Nation has been waiting for a turnaround similar to the one experienced by the district runner-up volleyball team.

That wait could almost be over.

It all starts with the front court for both teams, and while the junior varsity still lacks size,  the new look front court for varsity appears ready to fight in the paint.

“It has been a while since we’ve  had a real post presence, but between John [Bond], Jake [Dimond] and myself, I think we can really fight down low,”  junior Sam Lack said.

The varsity squad contains a school-record seven seniors, many of who are returning varsity players for three years or more. While that experience, combined with the players’ familiarity with each other, should go a long way toward producing a winning season, the new additions to the team should not be overlooked.

“I think it’s good that we have some new, young players who will get experience,” senior Anthony Wattwood said.  “I started playing varsity when I was a freshman and the experience really helps.  For what the returning players bring, we bring chemistry because we have all been playing together for a while and we bring confidence.”

While the varsity team seems to have addressed the problem of size, it continues to lack a bit in depth.

The junior varsity squad, on the other hand, appears to lack height, but can make up for it with a deep pool of quick, athletic guards on the bench, according to new Coach Greg Buttrick.

Buttrick, who will be taking over for Carl Putman, brings brings a history of winning after leading his police department squad to a third-place standing on the international level. After recently leading the middle-school team to a 7-2 record, he expressed optimism for the campaign ahead.

“The talent level seems to be about average,” he said. “It will be a work and progress once the team is selected.”