For the third consecutive year, the Newman boys basketball team has lost at least three starters to graduation. For the third consecutive year, the Comets seemed poised to absorb those losses and still compete for a conference title, and maybe more.

As usual, Newman has a strong nucleus to build around. Unlike the last couple of seasons, however, most of that nucleus will play in the frontcourt instead of the backcourt.

With the loss of four guards from last years squad which won a second sectional title in 3 years, the focus of this years team turns to the big guys inside.

Its definitely not going to be one player replacing the scoring and defense of those guys, senior forward Nolan McGinn said, but weve got a lot of height and athleticism, and we should be pretty deep.

Rather than being a guard-oriented, outside-shooting team, this year were going to be more post-oriented. We want to get the ball inside, play good defense, and use our athleticism to get out and run some.

The Comets will be without the scoring and ballhandling prowess of A.J. Sharp (scoring and assist leader); the shooting ability of John Payan; the slashing style and shutdown defense of Nate Terveer (second in steals); and the shooting and defense of Micah Trancoso (steal leader).

But 6-foot-7 junior Noah McCarty, who led the Comets in rebounds and blocks and was second in scoring last year, is back to man the middle, and hell be joined by the 6-3 McGinn, the 6-foot Trevor Bolin, and the 6-4 Jacob Barnes the top three guys off Newmans bench a year ago.

These are the guys who wanted a more prominent role last year, coach Ray Sharp said, and theyve got the opportunity now. Thats what you really hope from your juniors: they give you some good minutes in their junior year, then their senior year, theyre the leaders who step into the starting roles.

Sophomore Eli Leffelman will man the point guard position, and will join senior Shayne Allen as the two main shooters. Senior Dillan Heffelfinger will also handle the ball at times, and senior Drew Rosengren is the versatile guy who can play anywhere on the court and serve as the defensive stopper.

Bolin likes the eagerness he sees from his teammates, who all want to step up and earn more playing time than they had a year ago.

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Boys basketball: Comets' strength in frontcourt after graduating four guards