A season ago the Ontario Warriors boys basketball team was one of the most talented in the North Central Conference, but a lot of that talent was of the younger variety. This season the team still has much of that talent, but are now a year older and more experienced.

The Warriors have four seniors on their roster that all saw significant playing time last season, and each of them feel as though this team will be much improved from last year. Forward's Mitchell Phelps and Cameron West return in the front court while guard's Wyatt Clemens and Blake Balogh will help anchor the backcourt.

"As a team we have more experience this year." Clemens says. "Last year we were pretty young, so I think this year we'll have a lot better bond on the court and off the court."

The four seniors say they're all pretty good friends and it shows in the way they play with one another. After all, they have been playing with eachother since they were in grade school.

"We've all played together since like the Friendly House days." Says West. "We've just all become really close with eachother. We just have good chemistry."

A big part of the chemistry on this team comes from players buying into their roles in head coach Joe Balogh's system. Each player knows what their piece is to the larger puzzle and believe executing their part will take them farther in the long run.

"Some people's specialty is shooting, others dribbling and mine just happens to be an energy, defensive specialist." Phelps says of his role on this squad. "It's a team effort. Teams win championships, not you as an individual so in the end it just all comes back to team and accomplishing your goals."

The teams first goal this season is to get a win in their opener against Mansfield St Peters. Last year the Warriors beat up the Spartans on the home floor 73-54, but like Ontario, St Peters was inexperienced and has most everybody back. The Spartans return six of their top seven players from last season and boast great leadership with seven seniors on the squad. But Blake Balogh says they are prepared and will be ready for their first test of the season.

"We've been working hard and staying in the gym trying to stay focused. "Balogh says. "Hopefully we come out this Friday and show everybody how hard we've been working."

Tip off between the Warriors and Spartans will take place Friday night at The O-Rena in Ontario high school after the JV game at 6 pm. It can be be heard live on WMFD.com and seen on WOHZ TV Saturday and Sunday at 7 pm. @BrianSkowronski will also have updates throughout the contest on Twitter.