In a season in which many are expecting a great deal of parity in the boys high-school basketball ranks in Sudbury, the St Benedict Bears count themselves among the teams that could make some noise.
Their recent run to a tournament title at the Shoot the Rock showdown hosted by Laurentian University with do little to dispell those thoughts.
Stringing together four consecutive victories, the Bears downed the Lasalle Lancers 64-56 in the final after getting past the St Charles College Cardinals (57-39), the Algonquin Barons from North Bay (50-40) and the Espanola Spartans in semi-final play (58-52).
Tournament MVP Keegan Adair and veteran Phoenix Marks led St Benedict with 16 points each, with teammate Sullivan Smith hot on their tails with 14 points of his own in the final.
"I think we are pretty confident with our skills within the city," said Marks as the Bears return to the Division A ranks after dominating in junior Division B play last year.
"We think we can compete with anyone," he added. "We know how to push the floor really well. We play fast and get out on the break - that's a key to our success."
That said, as the competition intensifies, the Bears will need to be able to diversify their plan of attack.
"We still have some deficiencies with our half court sets," suggested Marks. "We've got to fix things and get that better, just so don't have to push it in the break. A lot of good teams can play slow and fast."
"We've got to get good at both."
This, however, might be a year where some gradual growth allows a team to contend.
"Obviously, you've got Lo-Ellen - but I think most of the teams in the city can compete with anyone," said Marks.
The West Ferris Trojans (North Bay) took the Shoot the Rock consolation crown with a 65-56 win over the Espanola Spartans as Laurentian welcomed a dozen teams to the Ben Avery Gym last month.
SDSSAA regular season action starts up in earnest this week with key matchups that include Horizon at Lasalle (Monday), Hanmer at Champlain (Div B on Tuesday) and a rematch of the Shoot the Rock final at St Benedict on Wednesday.