The opening whistle for the boys basketball season is just around the corner, as the team prepares to take on Kasson-Mantorville in a non-conference game Dec. 5 at Kasson.

Head coach Gary Holmseth, who begins his 21st year as the Bucs coach, has four returning starters that will form the nucleus for this years’ team. They are seniors Garrett Anderson, Nick Lee and Nate Carr, plus junior Riley Holmseth.

Anderson and Lee give the Bucs a physical presence with their 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-4 frames, respectively. Both were all-conference players last year — as they each averaged 15 points per game.

Anderson led the team in rebounds a year ago with a 10.3 per game average, while Lee pulled down 6.9 boards per game. He also led the team in assists with 76.

The 6-foot-1 Carr was also a double-digit scorer, averaging just over 10 points per game. He also led the team in steals with 54. Holmseth chipped in 6.3 points per game as a sophomore last year.

Senior Jared Smith and sophomore Brady Anderson return as players who got substantial playing time last season.

Other players looking to contribute this year are seniors Jordan Leitzke and Alex Cleppe, juniors Daniel Plocker, Conner Hanson, Justin Elzenga and Taylor Owen and sophomores Sam Lee, Jake Wagner, and Jake Zebedee. Sophomore Jonah Pirsig will miss the entire season due to knee surgery on Nov. 23.

“One of our strengths will be our inside size,” Coach Holmseth comments. “We will be a very physical team and the experience of our four returning starters is another of our strong points.”

Holmseth adds, “We need to become more consistent offensively and that will come when we improve our shooting. Many of these kids worked hard in the off season and hopefully we will reap the benefits this winter.”

Looking at the upcoming season, Holmseth expects the whole conference to be better from top to bottom. This should make for a very exciting and competitive season as the Bucs battle for the conference title, he adds.

The section has been realigned from an east and west orientation to a north and south orientation. The Bucs are in the south and will have new teams to contend with come tournament time, including Triton, NRHEG, Hayfield and Southland.

The Bucs Holiday Tournament will be held Dec. 28 and 29. The field includes JCC, USC, and defending class A champions Granada-Huntley-East Chain.