Boys Hoops opens pre-season workouts with plenty of returning talent; Hornets also dealing with first week injury to one of its top scorers

Head coach – Steve Yoder (11th season, 152-104)

Assistants – Eric Farkas, Ara Hoderewski, Dean Schwartz, Matt Smereski

Last year – 14-13 overall….Missed EPC playoffs, qualified for District XI Tournament defeating Pleasant Valley (63-48) and Easton (68-42) before losing to Northampton in semifinals (58-54) and PM West in third-place game (58-45). Lost to CB West 53-35 in first-round of PIAA State Tournament

Players lost to graduation – Josh Artis (7.7 ppg), Corey Riegel (1.8), Cole Ferguson (2.8), Austin Boyd (1.1), Chris Smith (1.4), Nick Martellucci

Returning players: Sr. C Zack Sabol (14.5 ppg., 13.6 rpg), Sr. G Bryce Diehl (13.9, 4.3 rpg., out with ankle injury), Sr. F Mark Swedberg (5.7, 3 rpg), Sr. G Cameron Brooks (6.4), Sr. G/F Devon Boyko (1.4), Sr. C Josh Moyer, Soph. G Danny Bohman (4.1)

Newcomers: Sr. G Ethan Parvel (transfer from Whitehall), Sr. G Stefan Rollins, Jr. G Ryan Todd, Jr. G Mason Boyd, Jr. F Patrick Hunter, Jr. G Demetrius Stephanides

Scrimmages – Saturday, Nov. 24 @ Blue Mt (2 pm), Saturday, Dec. 1 @ Scranton (11 am)

Season-opener: Friday, Dec. 7 vs Solehi (home)

Non-league opponents: Abington Heights (Dec. 22), Disney World, Fla. (Dec. 27, 28, 29), Pottstown (Jan. 12)

Coach Yoder on the prospects of this season: “There’s a lot of talent in the gym right now. We made it to states last year and I think that was a huge accomplishment considering we have everybody back who played except for Josh Artis. We were really young a year ago so we’re excited for what we have coming back this season.”

On dealing with an injury to returning team MVP Bryce Diehl: “It’s a sprained ankle and he needs to do his rehab and not rush it. Once he’s back, he’ll be fine. Trying to put a positive spin on it,  I think it could make us a better team because it increases the role of other guys and at the end, that makes you better and will probably make Bryce hungrier when he does come back. I much rather have it (the injury) now in November then when we’re making a district run.”