MONTESANO — Entering his fourth year at Montesano, boys basketball head coach Doug Galloway is excited. Now, he’s excited for every season, don’t get him wrong, but he’s excited about this 2016-17 squad and its potential.

“This is the deepest team I’ve had here,” Galloway said following a spirited practice at Bo Griffith Gym. “There are guys here who I’ll have to get into the game early in the season to see where they fit. There are a lot of guys on this team I’m going to have to find playing time for. It is tough to play more then eight kids, unless you are in foul trouble, but that’s why I make the big bucks.”

Starting on Dec. 20 at Onalaska, the Bulldogs (13-9 last season) will bring back an experience group of starters and are stocked full of up-and-coming talent.

Senior Nick Chapman and juniors Trevor Ridgway and L.J. Valley are the three returning starters for the Bulldogs. Both Valley and Ridgway, the top-two returning scorers, were all-Evergreen 1A honorable mention selections last year.

One of Montesano’s biggest weaknesses has been its offensive production. Galloway believes that the added depth and more options on offense will open up the court for Ridgway, Valley and Chapman, as well as junior Seth Dierkop.

“LJ and Trevor have hit some big shots in games in the past,” he said. “They have confidence and had a good summer. They’re going to be really good for us, very important for us. That should get the other guys shooting with confidence. And in turn, that’ll open up more opportunities to score.”

Two freshmen will step up into the varsity ranks — 6-5 forward Tanner Nicklas and 5-9 guard Sam Winter — while senior Lyle Burbidge and sophomores Evan Bates and Shaydon Farmer will provide depth. Seniors Austin Peterson, Ryan Nicholson and Noah Quinn will also see time, along with junior Donovan Albert.

“There are going to be older kids fighting for playing time,” Galloway said. “Any time you can get more depth, it creates more practice chances and more competitiveness throughout the roster. Everyone will have to work for their spots. That will help us. I’m really excited about who we have and the level of comeptition on the team.”

Playing in the five-school Evergreen 1A, Montesano will have a competitive league schedule to contend with. Galloway noted that he’s looking forward to the Hoquiam games and he picked the Grizzlies as the league favorite. He also noted Forks as a team to watch.

“I like our Hoquiam games; those are fun games to be in,” he added. “They’ve been at the top of the league since I’ve been here. They seem to bring out the best in us.”

Assisting Galloway this season will be Mike Stoddard and Kraig Lathrop.