Coming into the 2008-09 season, the varsity boys basketball team knew it would be almost a brand new team with heaps of potential.

Last year’s varsity team finished with a 17-8 record; its season was ended in a devastating game against Winters Mill High School in the Regional Championship. Along with losing the Regional Championship they lost nine seniors.

“Those nine seniors worked hard and were leaders for the basketball program”, Coach Jon Jarrett said.

Varsity only has four returning players: Seniors Matt Collins, Jordan Hall, Doug Jesse, and Morgan Winn. Out of these four, Hall and Winn were contributors that earned minutes in games last year and are the most experienced on the team.

Getting off to a fresh start, there is a difference in the coaching this year. Coach Jon Jarrett and coach Tim Leber are co-head coaches.

“I told him when I took the job that he could come back whenever he wanted,” said Jarrett.

Leber decided to get back into coaching this year; which works out great with the recent birth of Jarrett’s son, David; if there are any late nights and Jarrett cannot do all the coaching and plans by himself, Leber is ready to step in.

Jarrett’s expectations for this year are simple, “that the players give 100 percent effort all the time.”

Along with Jarrett, Leber’s goals are similar. “We get better and better every day,” Leber went on to say. “Regardless of the win-loss column, it is going to be a successful season, and because of the guys we have that give their best.”

All games are games to see, according to players on the team, but the game against Walkersville High School is the highlight.

Senior Jordan Hall said, “the atmosphere is like no other with the crowd and it is always a good game.”

There are three captains for the varsity team: Jordan Hall, Matt Collins, and Morgan Winn. As captain, Hall said his duties are being a solid leader and bringing the team together.

The team consists of five seniors, six juniors, and one sophomore. Senior captain Morgan Winn reflected on his expectations for this season: “We finish with a winning season and make a strong run in the play-offs.”

This year varsity has some key players to look out for: All four seniors along with juniors Kevin Harris and Will Lyons, and sophomore Chris Pirrone.

Pirrone will be playing once he is healthy again after breaking his foot during the football season.

The Knights first game, which was scheduled for Dec. 5, was rescheduled due to their opponent’s schedule. The Catoctin High School’s football team made it to the state semi-finals and Jarrett agreed to reschedule the game to give them time to prepare.

JV basketball

The JV boys basketball team consists of eight sophomores and four freshmen. Their team has talent and potential. They are coached by Aaron White who is assisted by Rocky Pryor. The JV Knights have one returning player this year, sophomore Tanner Mills. Mills got good minutes last year and will be a big contributor to the Knights again.

Freshman Basketball

The freshmen boys basketball team is coached by Roy Main, who is back for his second year. The freshmen Knights have 13 boys on the team.