Freedom enters this winter with an inexperienced group on the hardwood and head coach Joe Stellato knows that can lead to a mixed bag of results.

So, time will tell what the Pates can achieve following last year’s 15-10 season with only one returning player with varsity experience.

“We had 11 seniors last year and did not have enough room to get other players experience at the varsity level,” said Stellato. “So, when you have that lack of experience, you don’t know what they are capable of. Nate Sletvold is the one returning player, and he will be leading in every category for our team. Other players have to step up and contribute for us to have success.”

Sletvold, a senior guard, will be the main cog for the Pates this year, but so will be Orion Richardson (Sr./G), Parker Jackson (Sr./F) and Dylan Alvarez (Sr./G).

Newcomers include Marcus Brown (Sr./G); Liam Wasilick (Sr./G); TJ Dearing-Jones (So./G); Jace Grimmer (Jr./F); Daniel Santos (Jr./G); Josh Santiago (Jr./G); Camron Black (Jr./G) and Xavier Sexton (F).

“Our goals this year are to make the playoffs,” said Stellato.