During his career at Salisbury, only once has basketball head coach Jason Weaver had to replace his starting five players heading into the following season.

Weaver is facing that challenge once again as the Falcons begin preparation for the 2014-15 season. And that rebuild process begins in the Stellar Summer Basketball League.

Through four games, the Falcons are 3-1 with wins over Fleetwood, Northampton and Freedom's B squad. During their game last Tuesday (June 4) against Bethlehem Catholic at Allen High School's Sewards Gymnasium, the Falcons squandered a late six-point lead and suffered their first loss of the season, 38-33. They responded with a 43-11 victory over Freedom two days later.

"I got a bunch of JV guys that are just getting used to playing together and getting more minutes," Weaver said. "That's our biggest thing just playing together. Even the guys that have experience are not guys who started for me. That's the biggest challenge. Five starters are gone, and we're just getting used to new guys playing together."

The team's starting five in 2014-Justin Aungst, Naveed Hadian, Eddie Sanchez, Austin Uhl and Brad Vangeli-have graduated and leave a void at every position.

While much of the Falcons' lineup has little varsity experience, a few pieces return from last season's squad that saw significant time on the court.

Brendan Reichenbach and Dasheen Reid were the top two players off the bench last year for the Falcons' backcourt, while Bryce Fairclough played consistent minutes down low. All three of those seniors-to-be will be counted on come the winter season.

"I think it's really just about getting experience," Weaver said of the summer. "When you look at the guys we had on the court tonight, Brendan and Dasheen are the only guys that played any kind of meaningful varsity minutes. Bryce Fairclough hurt his ankle in the first game, and he didn't play tonight."

Beyond those three, not many Falcons had a chance to crack varsity minutes last year. But a number of those players, including Dylan Belletiere, Romario Benitez, Chad Cooperman, Jaxson Costello, Mason Donaldson, Charley Rogers and Tevon Weber, are essential in replacing those five seniors.

"All of those guys are going to have to give us some minutes," Weaver said. "I think we can go nine or 10 deep. Last year probably going into it, we sort of knew these are probably the starting five. But this year it's really up for competition, which is good."

After Reid hit a three-pointer and a layup in transition on consecutive possessions to put Salisbury ahead 31-26, the Golden Hawks finished the game on a 12-2 run to hand the Falcons their first loss of the season.

Becahi's Antwon Keenan played a big part in the Golden Hawks' comeback, registering a game-high 20 points (16 in the second half). He scored all but two of the Golden Hawks' 18 second-half points.

Slow starts have plagued Salisbury throughout the early going of summer play. In their second game, the Falcons erased an early double-digit deficit to down Northampton. The Falcons saw the Golden Hawks race out to a quick 15-4 lead, and despite cutting the deficit to a bucket at halftime, Salisbury could not hold that lead until the final whistle.

"I thought we did a good job," Weaver said. "We were down 15-4 tonight, and we got back and got a nice lead. They pressured us, and a young team doesn't handle pressure well."

Belletiere, Reid and Reichenbach all scored eight points apiece to lead the Falcons.

The Falcons continued their summer season on Tuesday against Faith Christian. Results were not available at time of press. On Thursday, the Falcons face Saucon Valley at Cedar Beach's Court 4 at 7:15 p.m.

"We're playing hard," Weaver said. "We're making some mistakes, as everybody is doing this time of year. The guys are playing hard, learning the game and getting better. I've been encouraged so far."