“They also provided leadership, especially Luke and Bryson,” Rincker noted. “Those four kids set great examples in the way they practiced and prepared for games. And defensively, they were all excellent defenders; shut down guys.”

But the veteran coach has plenty of experience and talent returning.

“We have athleticism, length, speed and versatility,” Rincker noted. “We have the makings of a great defensive team. Last year, we allowed 39 percent shooting and 42 points a game, which is good. This year’s team could be better than that.

“Defense is our bread and butter,” Rincker added. “I’m looking for our defense to create some of our offense. We’re really quick. We’ve got five or six guys, if they ran track, could be state track athletes. That’s how quick we are.”

The concern, at least for right now, is on the other end of the floor.

“We’ve got to continue to gel offensively,” Rincker said. “We have to make shots and be consistent from the outside. That was some of our downfall last year. If we can improve our shooting, we can turn of few of those close games a year ago into wins.”

To start with, Rincker welcomes back the team’s leading scorer and rebounder in 6’7”, 240-pound senior Jaccob Dust. He averaged nearly 17 points and 9 rebounds and was named to every all-tournament team the Bulldogs played in, plus was a first team All-National Trail Conference selection and was named Honorable Mention All-State for Class 2A.

“We’re counting on Jaccob to be our anchor,” Rincker said. “He’s in the best shape of his career. He’s our vocal leader that leads by example. We’re challenging him to be more aggressive defensively. I think Jaccob is going to have a very good year.”

Three seniors – Kaden Fearday, Jack Hoene and Aaron Webb – and junior Logan Antrim also figure to be in the starting lineup.

Fearday is 6’5” and can play guard or forward. He averaged 8 points per game a year ago.

“Kaden has a lot of tools,” Rincker said. “He’s one of our defensive leaders and we need him to be a good rebounder this year, too.”

Hoene is a 6’ guard that averaged about 7 points.

“Jack is steady offensively,” the coach noted. “And, he was our Defensive Player of the Year.”

Webb is a 5’11” guard that came off the bench a year ago. Rincker said Webb provided a real spark many times.

Antrim, a 5’11” guard, worked his way into the starting lineup about halfway through last season.

“He has a high motor,” Rincker said. “He’s our point guard. He can distribute the ball well and he always plays with high energy.”

Rincker said the Bulldogs will probably do more pressing and play more zone than they have in the past, “and Logan will be on the ball a lot. He can apply a lot of pressure and then get out and lead us on the break. He’s a very good athlete.”

There are seven more players that figure to see plenty of action and Rincker may substitute five players at once.

That group includes seniors Jack Elder (6’4”) and Connor Walk (6’3”); juniors Eli Moore (6’2”), Grant Nuxoll (6’4”), Seth Hoetze (6’6”) and Kennan Walsh (5’11”); and sophomore Craig Croy (6’4”).

 “This group is also athletic, plus they have size and versatility,” he explained. “I expect them to be able to change the pace of the game when needed. They could actually be better defensively and play even faster than the first unit. We’ve had some real battles in practice.”

Rincker said the three keys to the season will probably be defense, toughness and consistency shooting the basketball.

“Defense is definitely the key,” he said. “We can’t lose sight of the fact that’s our cornerstone for success.”

The coach has made time during practice each week for the team to learn about and focus on virtues.

“I believe that will help us be tougher, both mentally and physically,” Rincker said. “I think that will also help us, both as basketball players and people.”

And the consistency?

“We simply have to shoot the ball better than we did last year,” the coach emphasized.

The Bulldogs have been the dominant team in the NTC in recent year. They have either won or shared the league title six of the last seven years and have captured the NTC Tournament championship three years straight.

“I imagine most people will list us as the team to beat in the NTC,” Rincker admitted. “That means we’ll have a target on our back and will have to come ready to play every night.”

The team’s goals remain the same – win 20 games; win the NTC Tournament championship; and go as far as possible in the postseason.

The Bulldogs will return to Class 1A for at least the next two years.

St. Anthony will open the season in its own Thanksgiving Tournament. The Bulldogs will play five games between Monday and Saturday, beginning with a contest against Tolono Unity at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

“We’re anxious to get going,” Rincker said. “We’re ready to face some competition and see how we’re doing. In fact, we’re chomping at the bit.”