There will be familiar faces on the court as the Knights return four starters from a team that went 12-8 a season ago, placing fourth in the Lake Region Conference.
Senior Job Niewenhuis, junior Matt Rohrbach and sophomores Sam Palmer and Tanner Droog form a quartet that accounted for 48 points per game between them, led by Rohrbach's 18 points per contest. Rohrbach is a three-year starter and a two-time, first-team all-conference selection.
Dave Palmer returns for his fifth year as head coach of the Knights, assisted by Jordan Foster. Palmer noted that while the team is still relatively young, the squad should get off to a quicker start this year. A notable difference in the team will be a lack of size, which Palmer hopes can be countered by speed.
"There will be a different style and feel to the teams we have had in the past," Palmer said. "We have to play to our strengths of quickness and shooting with this group."
Also expected to contribute this season will be Noah Aderhold, another senior letterwinner, as well as juniors Seth Lundeen, Tanner Iwerks and Josh Holsing. The Knights do not have a lot of depth, so staying injury-free will also be a focus, Palmer said.
"Our numbers are going to be thin, so staying healthy will be a key," Palmer said.
As far as the Lake Region Conference, Palmer expects Warner to be the team to beat, with Langford and Leola-Frederick also bringing strong teams back.
"I'd have to say Warner, because of the tremendous numbers and they have a bunch of talented seniors," Palmer said. "In Leola-Frederick, having Brian Sumption back is going to make them good no matter who they put around him. Langford returns good kids from their region championship."
The Knights will have a busy start to the season with three games in the first week, starting with a visit to Hitchcock-Tulare on Dec. 11 followed by contests with Leola-Frederick and Wilmot at the Civic Arena. Christian visits Warner in its next game, which will present another good test.
"We're going to find out who we are early in the season," Palmer said. "Usually, we play Warner later in the season, so that will be an interesting game for both of us."
2012-13 Schedule
December - 11, at Hitchcock-Tulare; 13, Leola-Frederick; 15, Wilmot; 18, at Warner; 21, Mitchell Christian; 29, NSU Classic at Wachs Arena;
January - 5, Edmunds Central; 7, Northwestern; 10, Summit; 12, at Leola-Frederick; 22, Waubay; 24, Ipswich; 25, at Sunshine Bible;
February - 1, at Faulkton; 5, at Waubay; 8, Eureka-Bowdle; 9, at Wolsey-Wessington; 12, Langford; 22, at Northwestern.