HASLETT - Fresh off an appearance in last years regional final, this year’s Haslett Vikings basketball team comes back ready to do it again.

Haslett coach Chris Smith is entering his third season with the Vikings, and with a lot of familiar faces around, he’s hoping it will be his best yet.

“We got a lot of pieces from that team back," said Smith. "A lot of the guys who were big contributors for us last year are back this year and we’re hoping to take that a step farther this year.”

The biggest contributor of that group? Senior Brandon Allen

“Brandon Allen is back, he’s a 4 year starter for us, he’s been our leading scorer for all 4 years, he’s been here,” said Smith.

Allen has been named all league multiple times, and already has three scholarship offers on the table. However, he’s only one of the many returning players.

With Haslett returning 7 seniors from last season, this team could make an even deeper run than last year.

“In high school basketball, experience is huge," said Smith. "We’ve had guys who have been through all those wars in the league with teams like Dewitt and Waverly and St. John's”

“I think our main focus is just to win the league," said Allen. "With the experience part that’s gonna help a lot.”

While 7 seniors are returning, that also means 7 seniors will be graduating, leaving some question marks in the future.

“That’s what you do when you want to develop a program," said Smith. "You want the guys that are here in 9th and 10th grade to keep growing and expanding their role as players so that when they get to your level they can help contribute and I think we’re getting there”

And getting there quick. After watching the freshman tryouts right before varsity, Coach Smith likes what he sees.

"That freshman class is very talented and very deep so there’ll be a lot of players on that team that could possibly play up as JV,” said Smith.

By bringing in a solid freshman class, Haslett is able to continue the cycle of developing young, and with the combination of returning and incoming players, the Haslett program is setting themselves up for success now, and in the future.