As another year of East basketball is forthcoming, a season full of enthusiasm and excitement seems promising for the entire East community. After a disappointing 11-14 record last season and a first round exit in the last minute of last year's playoffs, the team is looking for some kind of spark to lead them to a satisfactory season, complete with a playoff birth.

To make the postseason the boysEVarsity team will need to overcome some obstacles. After the departure of five seniors, the returning players will take on new roles. There is an entirely new starting lineup featuring an explosive backcourt which will be put to the test as the season unfolds. Along with the graduated seniors, two seniors - Dan Levy ('04) and Sean Satchell ('04), both over 6' 4" will not be playing on the team this season.

We lost some quality talent but we need to continue to concentrate and play,Esaid Coach John Valore.

As far as the current roster goes, there will be six returning players who will be looking to pick up the intensity in contending for a high seed in the playoffs this season. Guards and brothers Clark Carter ('04) and Mike Carter ('04) will serve as quick, perimeter players who will complement a great ball handler in captain, Chris Gibson ('04).

Concerning the positions up front, there will be multiple seniors looking forward to take on the role of being effective frontcourt forwards. Dan Hamill ('04), at 6'3" is expected to be an impact player in the paint as a rebounder and scorer. Gamal Abiona ('04) and Ali Noorzad ('04) will also play important roles in shaping the team as a serious contender. Both Abiona and Noorzad expect to see ample minutes, as they both are considered talented frontcourt players.

Although these seniors are a talented group of players, they will need some sort of contribution coming from the bench. A few promising juniors will be looking forward to add help to the team. Brian Young ('05) and Steve Scott ('05), who both have an excellent touch shooting the ball, will contribute with size, rebounds and defense in the paint, as both players stand over 6'4". Guards such as Jared Ettinger ('05), Chris DiBartolomeo ('05) and Rahim Shiver ('05) will be expected to help the team's perimeter play.

A few questions still linger among the roster; however, the team looks solid and is expected to overcome the barriers that face them in reaching the playoffs.

"I believe the most important thing to do is to practice and to get in some sort of rhythm and finally to stay focused," said Dan Hamill ('04).

"Our objectives are reachable. We are trying to play well enough to obtain a high enough seed so that we can play at least one home playoff game so that we are put in a position to advance and finally contend in the conference championship. We have guys that are experienced and if we stay healthy we can reach these goals,Esays coach John Valore.

As the team continues to practice in preparation for its first game, there are high expectations for the squad this season. Although the team's fate is in question, there will be much excitement and zeal evident throughout the whole boy's basketball program. The Cougars will have their first test on Tuesday, December 23, as they play their season opener at Washington Township.

The team is currently 8-0 and look unstoppable. The starting 5 has been Brian Young, Chris Gibson, Mike Carter, Jeremy Caminer ('06) and Gamal Abiona. Gibson and Young are among South Jersey's Top 20 Scorers, Gibson with over 20 points a game and Young with around 18 points a game. Jeremy Caminer is a refreshing young player with incredible court vision and passing comparitive to Jason Williams. The team has a rough schedule ahead, hopefully they will keep up the intense play and bring a championship to East.