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New Life boys basketball head coach Bruce Bryant is a self-described optimist.

And a 15-14 record last season, he sees his Rams squad as even more of threat in the Mason-Dixon Christian Conference this winter.

"We've got a nice sized team, and I think we should be in the top-half of our conference," Bryant said. "A lot depends on how our bigs develop, will we be able to play interior defense?

Two-time second team All-Gazette forward Sherard Johnson took his 17.0 points and 9.6 rebounds per game along with him to NCAA Division II Shaw University (N.C.), where he is red-shirting for his freshman season. Forward Cody Hamrick, a 6-3 junior, is the highest scorer returning this season, averaging 7.0 points and 5.0 rebounds last winter. Fellow 6-3 junior forward Nick Seders (4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds) and 6-4 sophomore center Nathan DeJong (4.0 points, 4.0 rebounds) are also back. Senior David Sage (5-8) and 5-5 sophomore point guard Matt Dillon round out the starting five.

B.J. Royston, a 5-10 sophomore, along with 6-3 senior frontcourt player Christian Wilson are key reserves.

NLCS girls go with an "Iron 7"

With the transfer of 6-foot post player Jenna Rimel to St John's Catholic Prep and the decision of yet another player to not participate this season, the Rams girls squad is down to seven players. But rookie head coach Brian Roynsted doesn't mind.

"These girls have the best attitudes, I really run them hard, but they are ready to go," said Roynsted, who inherits a team that went 15-7 in the 2008-09 campaign, placing third in the conference.

April Wright and Aileen Maknati, two 5-7 sophomore, return thankfully for the New Life. Last season Wright, a point guard averaged over 15 points per game. Julia Williams, who missed the past two seasons after suffering an injury in her freshman year, will play the post this season at 5-7. Ellen Socash is a 5-4 freshman wing.

At the beginning of the season, the Rams have just two substitutes to lean on, 5-4 sophomore guard-forward Emily Rice and 5-3 Lydia Printz, an eighth grader.