A strong returning nucleus gives the Sidney boys basketball program reason for optimism coming into the 2009-10 season.    

The Eagles, who took third in the crowded Eastern A last year, return more than 2,500 minutes of varsity experience to the court this season.   

“The experience we gained last year was huge. Going into last season, we had just one player who had played much on varsity. This season we have 10 returning varsity players,” head coach Danny Strasheim.    The senior-heavy squad will feature six upperclassmen and three starters. Guards Josh Morasko and Mitch Kallevig along with post player Beau Prevost had starting assignments a season ago.    

Morasko, who was one of the top three-point shooters in the conference last season, provides a nice shooting touch. Returning All-Conference performer Kallevig provides good ball handling and leadership at the point for the Eagles. Prevost, standing at 6-1, gives Sidney strength and athleticism inside.   

A trio of seniors in Neil Martin, Ethan Hoffman and Rick Haraldson also return from last year’s team.     Martin, an excellent outside shooter, saw varsity minutes off the bench last year at forward. Hoffman gives the Eagles an aggressive defender at guard. Haraldson, a post player, works hard and has a nice inside jumper.   

Two juniors are expected to see major minutes for Sidney. Cole Steinbeisser, who saw extensive action last season, is a 6-1 post player who works hard and shoots the ball well. Colten Herbert, a transfer from Savage, provides the Eagles with power  and quickness at guard.   

Ryan Sullivan, Josh Torgerson and Alex Irigoin are sophomores who were on varsity a season ago.     Sullivan and Torgerson have improved significantly since last season, Strasheim said. Sullivan is expected to provide solid defense, while Torgerson is a good shooter. Irigoin is a returning guard who gives Sidney good quickness.   

Depth looks to be a major strength for the Eagles.    

“It will definitely be improved from last year,” Strasheim said. “Last season we fought injuries all season long. So now we have a lot of guys returning with experience.”   

Quickness and shooting ability are expected to be a pair of assets for this year’s squad.    

“We have decent quickness this season. We will look to push the ball and use our ability to get up and down the floor,” Strasheim said. “We have all kinds of shooters this year. It will be important to be patient and take good shots.”   

Defensively, the Eagles will look to use their quickness to their advantage.    

“I would love to play a full-court defense, but it just depends on our depth and who we’re playing,” he said. “We’re going to adjust to our opponents no matter what.”   

One concern for Strasheim is his team’s lack of size.    

“We’re not a big basketball team, so we’re going to really stick to our assignments. The division doesn’t look to have anyone real big, so it may not hurt us as much as in other years,” he said.    The Eastern A looks to be extremely balanced, Strasheim said.    

“I think by the end of the season all six teams will be very close to each other,” he said. “Billings Central would have to be the favorite going into the season though.”   

Central and Hardin return good height and ability while Laurel returns two starters from last year’s team. Glendive, who came on late in the season, returns all but one starter, while Strasheim expects Miles City to be much improved.   

The Eagles will have a good chance to see where they’re at Dec. 8 against Williston.    

“Williston returns one starter and a number of kids that played from last year,” Strasheim said. “They lose a lot, but they always give us a tough test.”   

Strasheim thinks his team will be extremely competitive.   

“If we play smart and work hard, we should be in every game this season,” he said.