The boys basketball team is aiming to end its three-year post-season drought with the returning of three starters. The ‘Cats opened the 2016-17 season with a 63-55 road victory over Fort Defiance. After falling to Covington in the second game of the season, the ‘Cats won five of the next eight games including a sweep of rival Parry McCluer to improve to 6-4 overall.

“Our goal is to get better every day,” said assistant coach Travis Rogers. “If it’s in practice or if it’s in a game, we’re going to get better and do it better than the day we did before.”

With the new season on hand, changes from last season are already in effect through leadership on the team.

“The main thing is the leadership,” said Rogers. “Our three captains are Ty Bennett, Byron Winchester, and Daniel Allen, and they take the ball and run. They go with it. Anything in the locker room, they handle it. I’ve really liked having the captains being able to step up and handle some jobs that they can.”

The ‘Cats still have work to do on both sides of the ball before post-season talks can begin, but defense is the team’s primary focus early in the season.

“You can always improve on defense-that’s our main goal, that’s our staple,” said Rogers. “Because night in and night out some shots are going to fall, sometimes you’ll miss them, but defense and effort is everything.”

Junior guard Nathan Bailey returns to the team this season after a successful sophomore year on varsity.

“The biggest improvement I have noticed from last year’s season has been the chemistry between the players,” said Bailey. “This group of guys this year are close on and off the court. We not only play ball together, but we also hang out outside of school. I think these kinds of relationships between the players will help the way we play on the court, hopefully making us more successful.”

The team improved their record last season to 9-17 after going winless the season before. Bailey, who started multiple games for the ‘Cats as a sophomore, is looking forward to building off of last season.

“A goal we have every season is to do better than the previous year,” said Bailey. “I think this year is no different.”

The graduation of standout guard Shameik Ware last year will be a loss for the ‘Cats, but there remains a positive outlook on the season with so many returning players.

“I am most excited about having the opportunity to play with this group of guys,” said Bailey. “I feel we are all working towards the same goal and should do well together.”