The winter sports season is upon Wethersfield High and that means another exciting season of Wethersfield boys’ basketball. The team is led by coach Mike Verderame in his third year as head coach, trying to help the team improve on their 9-13 record last year. The Eagles did win a game in the tournament last year and will surely look to build on that experience in this upcoming year. This season will certainly be a test of will with many key players from last year’s team lost either to graduation or other matters. Coach Verderame will have to look to new sources of offense this season as he loses the top four scorers from last year’s squad: Victor Anderson, Tyler Murphy, Rich Brewer, and Adam Williams. The boys’ will also lose four of the top five rebounders: Anderson, Murphy, Anthony Bonelli, and Brewer.  Verderame says that, “Although we are a team lacking significant varsity experience, I am excited about the season…we are looking forward to the challenge.” Another obstacle for the Eagles this season will be the move into the brutal CCC North which includes powerhouse Windsor who finished 26-1 last season.  Other notable teams in the conference include East Hartford and Glastonbury, who finished 19-8 and 16-8, respectively. Sophomore Brandon Tarascio is optimistic, “Although we play in a tough conference we expect big success this year.” Coach Verderame agrees, “There is no question our schedule is demanding, but I believe we will improve each day and play together as a unit.” The upside to the tough conference switch is that the out of conference schedule is not as demanding, with games including Sports & Medical Sciences Academy and Rocky Hill, who finished 4-16 and 6-14, respectively. Yet the Eagles do have the annual game with the Newington Indians, which is always a battle. Despite the daunting task ahead, the team remains optimistic. One of the few returning seniors metioned earlier is senior captain John Bedula. Bedula is looking forward to the season and talked about the offseason work the team has put in. “We have played in several leagues this fall and we’ve been playing very well as a team.” The team chemistry can only help the Eagles this season as they will need to count on every player, whether starter or back up, to pitch in and give it their all. The team also wants everyone in the student body to come out and support the team when they are home. Verderame put it best when he said, “A home court advantage is only as good as its crowd.”