With a strong run during the playoffs at the end of last year, the Polk County Wolverines Mens basketball team appears to have a bright future, and according to head coach Josh Mcentire this year could be even more successful than last season.

What do you believe will be your teams strengths and weaknesses this year?

Mac: Our team strengths will be quickness, experience and depth. We need to be able to take advantage of our quickness and athletic ability to shut other teams down and create easy baskets. We will have a team full of juniors and seniors who will have a lot of varsity experience which should help us in big games in conference. Our team will have a lot of depth at each position in case of foul troubles or injuries that you endure during a long season. Our biggest weakness will be our overall ability to shoot and score the basketball.

Do you believe the team has a shot to win the conference?

Mac: We play in the toughest conference in the mountains. You have to bring your A game every night or you will have a good chance of taking a loss. But I think if we work and come together as a team we can be in the running for the conference crown.

Do you expect to beat your rivals Hendersonville and Landrum?

Mac: I expect our team to compete and win every time we take the court. I understand there is extra incentive on rival games but until those games come they arent any more important than the other schools on our schedules.

Is there anyone in particular you will be looking to as a leader?

Mac: Andre Overholt, Shawn Gary and Ryan Thomas will all be looked to as leaders on and off the court.

What are your expectations?

Mac: My expectations are that we need to come to work hard every day at practice and improve every game and the rest will take care of itself.

Compared to last year how far do you think the team will go in the playoffs?

Mac: The run we made in the playoffs last year was very special and hopefully it will help propel us to getting off to a good start this year. We have a lot of the same players coming back but the playoffs are a strange animal. A lot of it depends on the draw you get and if you get a break here or there.

Is there anyone fans should keep their eye on for a big game?

Mac: I hope the fans will be there to support both the girls and boys teams and programs. We will be a team and we have numerous players who could step on every given night.

Polk Countys coach is not the only one with high expectations for the team this year.

Fidal Wilkins, one of Polks forwards/centers, recently said: Our talent this year is outstanding. We have what it takes to make it far this season. Question is can we all come together and play as a team? If we can do that, then other teams are going to have a hard time trying to overcome the Polk County Wolverines.

Polk County basketball fans will be watching to see how the season matches these expectations.