With its season already underway, the boys’ basketball team is working hard to make up for the absence of all but one senior player.

Although its record stands at 0-14, the boys’ team faced many challenges this season, foremost the 11 senior players who left the team last year. Junior player Tommy Burnett said he thinks the loss of seniors has been a hard, but not an impossible obstacle.

“It’s been a struggle so far since we are really young, but we are starting to come more together as a team,” Burnett said.

Head coach David Breitenbucher said he agrees having a team with no seniors is a setback, but the players have stepped up to the challenge.

“I’m really happy with the way the guys are playing and performing,” Breitenbucher said. “Even though our record doesn’t show it, these guys are coming through and giving their all in their playing and practicing. This is a building process and here we have a team without a lot of seniors but a lot of dedication from the younger players.”

    According to Burnett, team camaraderie is a central part of the season this year in order to bring the team closer together and be better connected on the court.

    “We went to Perkins over winter break with the coaches and we are starting to go out to eat after practice on Saturday mornings. We have been having player meetings as well,” Burnett said.

Even though these bonding activities are helping the team grow stronger, Breitenbucher said it’s sometimes hard to see it play out on the court.

“As a team we’re taking baby steps to coming together on and off the court,” he said. “Hopefully it’s having an impact, but it will definitely be positive in the long run.”

Junior captain Wes Johnson said he agrees that while it’s been a slow start, everyone is settling into their new roles on the team and pushing to make the second half of their season a success.

“We’re preparing for each game based on the team we compete against. Our game plan now and throughout the season is just to keep getting better, as we have no seniors, and the whole team will be back next year,” Johnson said.

With twelve more games left in its season, Breitenbucher said he hopes the team will play to its best abilities leading up to their sections game in February.

“November and December are all about getting better, January and February are about pushing the team to play their best for sections. I think this team has a lot of potential we will see later on,” Breitenbucher said.

The teams next fame is against Columbia Heights at 7:15 Jan. 17 at home.