Basketball at Patterson High School often gets overlooked because of the success of the football team. But the Lumberjacks have reached the Top 28 and the quarterfinal round just last year.

“We always get a late start after football and we have to get our legs under us,” Patterson head coach Ryan Taylor said. “We often struggle early on but get better as the season goes along.”

Patterson got off to a hot start this season, winning three games in the Berwick Tournament, including a win over a highly-regarded Central Catholic team.

“That was a big win for us,” Taylor said. “Central Catholic is a really good team so a win over them this early is big for our confidence.”

The 2011-12 ’Jacks have several players with experience.

Point guard Dylan Sanders has been part of the program for four years.

“Dylan has played a lot in the last three seasons,” he said. “He’s the best ball handler and we expect big things from him this season.”

The offensive guards are Trevon Stewart and Gino Hall.

“Gino can score and we need that from him this year while Trevon is the emotional leader,” Taylor said. “He feeds off emotion and he’s a great defender.”

Tremaine Lightfoot and Deondre Skinner return in the post for the ’Jacks.

“We are hoping to get more scoring from Deondre this season,” he said. “He’s our biggest player inside and he’ll have to play that way. Tremaine is our most consistent player; he defends, he rebounds and he scores.”

Reserve guards expected to see playing time includes Jaydrick Gunner, Mark Jones and Sherman Edwards.

“We expect those guys to play both the point and off guard positions,” Taylor said.

Denzel Johnson, Treylon Jennings and Corey Smith will all be counted on to score on the wings. All three are good outside shooters.

“We need them to hit the outside shots because teams are going to play us zone,” Taylor stressed.

Backup post players are Tarrike Phillips and freshman Malik Garrett.

“They both are strong and have good size to battle inside,” the coach said.

Two other freshmen made the varsity squad, Larry Turner and Daylon Charlot.

“They are both very athletic and very aggressive,” Taylor added.

Turner and Charlot will both play guard.

Patterson will be one of the favorites in a new district.

“Abbeville is an established program while Franklin is a rival and always athletic,” Taylor said. “North Vermilion, Erath and Kaplan all lost some seniors from last year so they may be young in key positions. They are good shooters and are fundamentally sound.”

Berwick High rounds out the new 9-3A district.