All of the sophomores, juniors and seniors of the 2008-09 Buccaneer boys basketball team are pictured. Front row, left to right; Justin Elzenga, Josh Amundson, Connor Hanson, Riley Holmseth, Dalton Hurn, Alex Cleppe, Colan Surratt. Middle row, left to right; Taylor Owen, Aaron Wilhelmi, Wade Wilhelmi, Santos Flores, Jared Smith, Jordan Lietzke. Back row, left to right; Daniel Plocker, Garrett Anderson, Nick Lee, Charlie Garlick, Corey Liebl, Nate Carr.

The Blue Earth Area boys basketball team won’t be lacking size on the front line this season. With a trio of players who are 6 foot 4 inches tall and weigh at least 210 pounds, the Bucs rebounding and interior scoring should be one of their strengths.

Senior Charlie Garlick, along with juniors Garrett Anderson and Nick Lee, give the Bucs what might be the strongest post play that Coach Gary Holmseth has ever had as he enters his 20th year of coaching Buccaneer varsity basketball.

Both Anderson and Lee saw action as sophomores last year. Lee has recovered from off season knee surgery and is ready to go at full speed.

Junior Nate Carr is the only other returning member of the Buccaneers with much varsity experience. Others on the team will be senior Cory Liebl and juniors Jared Smith and Alex Cleppe.

This is the first time since Holmseth has been the Bucs coach that he will be without a lot of experience at the guard position.

“We are thin with experience at that spot,” comments Coach Holmseth. “We won’t have too many answers until we get to our first game. We’ll be looking for other kids to step up.”

Looking at the conference, Holmseth sees Fairmont and Waseca as the top teams followed by a New Ulm team which returns most of its starters from last year. Belle Plaine, a strong team from last season that has their entire roster back, should be the team to beat in the section.

The Bucs open their season hosting Albert Lea on Dec. 5.