When Leigh Keenan took over the Palmerton boys basketball program before last season, he didn't know what to expect. Not knowing any of the players, everyone started out on the same level.

With that season under his belt, finishing with a win over a talented Tamaqua team and some dedication in the offseason, he looks for more improvement this time around."We're returning everyone but Logan Lesher, Nick Frey and Ty Achterman from last year," Keenan said. "We look a little bit more athletic, stronger and have a couple of guys who can really hit some shots offensively."Our core pieces are back in 6-4 senior Mark Quinn, who averaged 12 points and eight rebounds a game, and 6-5 junior Spencer Hay, who averaged 10.1 points and seven rebounds a game. Add in 5-10 sophomore Mike Stasko, who is just so aggressive defensively, and we have something to build around."Keenan has 6-5 senior Ben Weber, 6-4 junior Zach Buck, 6-0 sophomore Joey Suto and 5-11 sophomore guard Zach Svetik as others who will see plenty of playing time this season. Add in senior transfer (from Chambersburg) Alex Blose, a 5-9 guard, along with juniors Mason Stahler (6-4), Cole Rodrigues (5-11), Seth Andress (6-0) and Jack Yaindl (5-9) and sophomore Brett Papay (5-7) to round out the roster."We're a little bit deeper than we were last year," Keenan said. "We can play about 10 guys. We have all the pieces. We have shooters, we have guys inside. We've got some length, we have some experience, we have some strength. How we place it together and how we play is up to them. I think we're much, much better than we were last year."Quinn has put on some weight and gotten stronger, Weber has taken himself a lot more seriously."Ben is a lot quicker, his shot is improved. Zach Buck has put on some weight and gotten stronger, and Svetik is quick and can really push the ball so we're looking to fast break a little more this year than last."Hay has also fine-tuned his game and will be a force inside, as well as beyond the arc.The Bombers had a hard time scoring last year, despite playing good defense. Keenan looks to get points consistently this year not from any one player, but everywhere on the court."How well we score inside, how well we score outside and what's our best percentage is going to tell how good we are," said Keenan. "Last year we lost a handful of games by two, by four, by eight. And those were fourth quarter losses rather than being the whole game."Keenan just wants to see the Bombers improve as a team."I don't want to give any numbers out. If we look like we're having a good time out there I've done my job," he said. "The guys have really bonded well this year. We put in the work in the preseason and it looks like all of the players from the bench to the court are having fun and support each other tremendously. We don't seem to have any kinks in the armor for support, and that's a huge part in what we're trying to do. Our main goal is to stay consistent in a positive attitude."As far as the league goes, Keenan said that Saucon Valley is without a doubt No. 1 or No. 2 as far as the strongest goes. He also includes Bangor, Southern Lehigh and Salisbury in the mix.It's been a while since there has been a positive outlook at Palmerton in boys basketball. Maybe things are turning in that direction.