Sixteens, scrimmages, and six a.m. practice. As the boy’s basketball team ramps up for the year, it is hard not to notice the changes to the team. Last year, the program graduated eight seniors, including stars Colton Benson, James Osborne, and Nate Firle. With this mass exodus of talent, the Eagles are hitting the reset button while maintaining a winning culture with their handful of returning players.

Senior Nick Risen has an optimistic attitude about the year. “We’re playing more like a team this year rather than as individuals.” He cites their preseason scrimmage performances as a source of hope. The Eagles lost by a mere two points against the reigning 4A state champions Minnetonka, by one point to Washburn, and won against Robinsdale Armstrong by eight.

Risen is back for his second year on varsity, where he must step up and take a much more critical role on the court. “My goal is to grow as a leader and make my teammates better.” Risen also holds the team goal of playing a home playoff game earned by the top 4 seeds in the section.

Junior Brady Dennis is in a similar position as Risen. As one of three returning players, Dennis will have to take a giant leap in his game this year. Sitting behind senior guards Ayden Jensen and Will Fossen, Dennis saw limited minutes last year but now will step into the spotlight as the team’s primary ball handler.

Dennis expressed that he has enjoyed the start of the year. “Practice has been a lot of fun; I enjoy the live playing drills, anything from 1-on-1 to full court 5-on-5.” However, he isn’t enamored with the infamous “16’s”. “We have to run from sideline to sideline sixteen times in one minute,” Dennis said. “It often leaves us all bent over on our knees, catching our breath.”

The Eagles open their season at Marshall on Dec. 3 at 7:15 p.m.