With the boys basketball season ready to start up, vibes are high for some late November non-conference action. The coaches weighed in once again to share what they have seen thus far in practice.

What do you expect to be the team identity?

Ellsworth Head Coach Derek Staley: I expect our team identity to be a tough defensive team to play against. We should be able to score inside and outside.

Prescott Head Coach Nick Johnson: Being a physically and mentally tough team who doesn't back down from anything.

River Falls Head Coach Zach Turpin: I expect this group to be a hardworking, high effort team that communicates well and plays well together.

Spring Valley Head Coach Rob Bosshart: I would love for our team identity to be our effort level and tenacity on both ends of the court. We have a very young and inexperienced group so there will be some growing pains, but this group has a strong desire to get better. As long as we continue to work hard every day we will be much improved by the second half of the season.

What will it take for your team to have a successful season?

Staley: We will need to be aggressive, disciplined, and unselfish every day.

Johnson: Staying disciplined on both ends of the floor and doing whatever it takes to play to our max potential.

Turpin: It will take a collective commitment to meeting our team's pillars on a daily basis and a willingness to be uncomfortable as we try to grow as a team.

Bosshart: For us to be successful, we will have to see our younger guys quickly catch up to the speed of the game. There will definitely be a steep learning curve but we have kids who are ready for that challenge.

Who do you expect to be the team leaders on and/or off the court? Who are your returning starters/contributors?

Staley: We have a lot of returners who I expect to lead us. Our returning starters are Omar Coulson, Gavin Klos, and George Rohl. I expect contributions from Parker Peterson, Keegan Stahlke and Andrew Girdeen. I think we have a few other guys who could step up too.

Johnson: Team leaders: Kobe Russell, Max Monteith, Eyan Miller and Emmett Otto.

Returning starters: Kobe Russell, Max Monteith, Eyan Miller and Emmett Otto.

Returning contributors: Jackson Matzek and Gavin Peters.

Turpin: Brody Graetz, Tanner Bottolfson, Cal DuMond, Austin Stellrecht, Tino Massa, Cullen Johnson and Gavin Carufel are all expected to be leaders in our program and had key contributions to our team last season.

Bosshart: We lost almost everything from last year's team statistically, so this is truly a new team for us. I really do not know who our team leaders will be on or off the court. Because of the dynamics of this team, I think that is going to play itself out as the season goes on.

Goals for the team this season?

Staley: I expect us to compete every day at practice and every game.

Johnson: Win a conference championship and make a deep playoff run. To be a much better team at the end of the season than we were at the beginning.

Turpin: To see individual and team growth throughout the season.

Bosshart: Our goal as a team is simply to be better as the year progresses. Winning and losing games is a relative proposition based on who you are playing, so I think it's important to simply focus on what we can control and that is to play the best basketball we can and compete every time we take the floor. The wins and losses will take care of themselves.

No answers were received from the EPC coaching staff prior to publication.