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WEIRTON -- Weir High is coming off a successful season last winter, finishing as Region 1 and OVAC 4A runners up and Section 1 champs while racking up 15 wins.
That success and the gradual improvement each year under now fourth-year head coach Anthony Santangelo has led to a lot of excitement entering this season.
"It was huge for the program," Santangelo said of the regional run. "You saw the excitement in the community, you saw it amongst the guys. It's very exciting. It's my fourth year and that excitement from last year is huge."
Departing from that group were four seniors, second-leading scorer Damar Turner, key rebounder Justin Brueck, now James Madison University football player Cam Jones and bench contributor Jude Smith.
"They're all a big loss for our program for sure but the next guys have to step up," Santangelo said.
The cupboard is far from bare, however, as a group of four seniors that played key roles as underclassmen are back to lead the way.
That group, coming in fresh off the Red Riders football run to the state semifinals on which each played a big role, are seniors Colin "G" Cross, Corey Lyons, Malachi Stromile and MoMo Prentice.
"They've been playing together a long time and are really good leaders," Santangelo said. "You saw that in football. They're ready to step up and accept the challenge."
The hope is to get those guys healed up and in basketball shape as soon as possible.
"It's a little nerve-wracking," Santangelo admitted. "Football is a physical sport, you watch and hope they do well and hope they stay healthy. They'll have their bumps and bruises. Hopefully those guys can get healed up and we can be healthy by the middle of the season if not the start."
Getting them into to football shape will be a process the Red Riders also went through last fall when Weir's football team also made a playoff run.
"It's a process," Santangelo said. "We got to see some young guys while we were practicing without the main guys so it's good to work with them. There are some younger guys that contribute and have a chance to show off their skills.
"Football shape is different than basketball shape, basketball is getting up and down the floor ... it's a process to get those guys into basketball shape.
"The nice part is four of those guys are seniors who played a lot last year and know the system and what to expect."
The group, their coach feels, did have a good offseason when together and is excited to get going.
"We had a lot of participation over the summer," Santangelo said. "Our open gyms and conditioning had a good turnout.
"Even during football season, the football guys were stopping in the gym at basketball practice and seeing the other guys on their way to football. They're excited about what's coming next."
Coming off the level of success a season ago, the goals are high. They also go beyond just winning.
"The big goal, which was right there last year, is going down to state," Santangelo said. "These guys were close enough to smell it last year, that's the big one. We want to get past the 15-win mark.
"As a coach my goal is to see these seniors step up and lead this program to new heights, to lead these young guys, and become more than just players but good young men."
Also back to be in the mix are Damir Mowder, DeShjuan Smith, senior Christian Long, Cayden Braswell, Anthony Jeffers and Teddy Glyptis as well as some sophomores and freshmen that may jump up from the jayvee squad.