Last year, the RNE boy’s basketball team was composed of nine seniors. “It’s a brand new team so we are still trying to figure out who we are,” Lourie said.

Over the summer, the team played roughly 15 to 20 games while also attending team camps and working on individual skills.

“It was a good introduction for the transfers we had and a lot more reps for the returners” Lourie said.

“We are trying to build chemistry because we’ve got a new team. We lost a lot of pieces last year, so I feel like if we build chemistry, we will be good,” Wine said.

Strategically, the team is working on stretching defense and being patient. Along with this, the players are working on building their competitive mindset.

“Don’t just come out lazy,” Wine said.

He said the most competitive games are going to be Ridge View and Westwood.

With the loss of nine senior leaders on the team, there are now leadership positions that need to be filled. “We don’t have as many seniors, so I have to take accountability and leadership,” Tillman said.

Other than playing in scrimmages, games, and getting in reps , the team has worked on talking more with each other during games and practices.

“We’re going all the way this year,” Tillman said.