Chad Nachtrieb has a message for the members of his Bayfield High School boys basketball team - especially the seniors: Make very minute count.
With a senior-dominated varsity, Nachtrieb said he wanted to emphasize the importance of every minute, every quarter, every half, every game in the new 2008-09 season.
"With seven seniors out there, our practices are pretty competitive," said Nachtrieb, the BHS head coach in his second season leading the boys program.
"They make each other better in practice," Nachtrieb said.
The Wolverines also return a bundle of experienced players from a year ago.
And this year, the BHS coach said, he hopes to lead the team into the postseason and beyond.
"It's been fun teaching them more of the game this year," Nachtrieb said of his veteran crew, "instead of just teaching the offense or the defense."
He said the Wolverines are working very hard and gaining confidence.
Many of the BHS players are standouts in other sports like football, cross country and soccer.
"The success of football has carried over, certainly. They are used to winning," Nachtrieb said.
The seven seniors returning to lead the Wolverines include Kaleb Zink, Jesse McCoy, Logan Funkhouser, Zach Adams, Dakota Decker, Tanner Phelps and Trevor Rick.Three juniors round out the varsity: Jared Qualls, Ryan Terry and Jamie Tinnin.
The team's countdown to the first game ends today when the Wolverines head to Farmington to take on Piedra Vista. The boys game (7 p.m.) is scheduled to follow the girls varsity game tonight (5:30 p.m.).
"We've got new uniforms, and the kids are excited about that. It should be fun trying to get these kids to the next level," Nachtrieb said.