SOUTH WAYNE — After losing in the regional semifinal to Barneveld, the Warriors look to build on their otherwise success campaign last season.

Black Hawk finished 16-7 overall and 8-4 in the Six Rivers East. Conner Meyer was a first-team all-conference selection after averaging 18.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

With Meyer one of five seniors returning, the Warriors will have a wealth of experience on their side. Guards Colby Argall, Kyle Lovelace, Tyler Triem, Rece Shelton and Brandon Schiferl all return and give Black Hawk some much-needed ball handling skilled players.

Junior big men Avery Baumgartner, Lucas Flanagan and Jaylen Rufenacht will add to the fold in the forward position.

“Our athleticism and strength should allow us to be a solid defensive team,” Black Hawk coach Charlie Anderson said.

That athleticism and strength should also help on the boards, though finding a scoring threat outside of Meyer will be key.

“We will need to be a better rebounding team, (and) scoring the ball consistently potentially could be a problem,” Anderson said.

Anderson said he aims for his team to compete for a conference title. A season ago Barneveld and Pecatonica shared the crown with Black Hawk finishing third.

Anderson also hopes his team will be playing its best at the end of the year. That’s when another potential playoff run could unfold, much like the football team this year. However, with the football team playing into the first week of practice, there is even less time to get rested and re-acclimated to the hardwood. The Warriors first game is scheduled for Nov. 26 at Parkview.