For the first time in nearly two decades, the Pleasant Valley boys' basketball team will have someone other than Ken Piontkowski roaming the sidelines.

After coaching the Bears for 19 years and posting over 200 wins, it was announced earlier this spring that Piontkowski would not be returning to his familiar position.But the man who will be taking his place, Matt Gould, is certainly no stranger to Pleasant Valley after having played for Piontkowski from 2001-04. More recently, Gould coached the Bears' seventh- and eighth-grade teams (2008-09, 2011-12) and the junior varsity squad (2012-14).Gould, who played at Wilkes University, is hoping his familiarity with the program will help ease the transition for everyone."Being able to coach at my alma mater is a wonderful feeling and a great opportunity," he said. "I think coaching within the program has helped with the transition because I know all the players and they know what my expectations are for them."Gould will be without last year's top scorer, Marquis Brown, who averaged 11.7 points per game for a team that finished the season with an overall record of 8-13 (4-8 in the Mountain Valley Conference).But the Bears will return much of their backcourt from a year ago in guards Bryan Sharpe (8.2 points per game), Eric Mikulski (5.4 ppg) and Nyiem Nevarez (4.1 ppg).The group should also benefit from the presence of Pius X transfer Eric Marbury, nephew of former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury. The senior averaged almost 18 points per game last season and helped guide the Royals to the second round of the PIAA state basketball playoffs."We are looking at Eric (Marbury) to be a big part of our team this year," Gould said. "We think he will help solidify our guard rotations and bring a physical presence to our defense."Gould knows having continuity throughout the lineup will be critical if the team is to develop throughout the season."We need to stay together as a unit and persevere when things do not go our way," he said. "We need to keep our turnovers to a minimum, and as a smaller team, we'll need to make sure we limit offensive rebounds and second-chance points to avoid giving up easy buckets."Gould's first season will also come in what will be PV's inaugural campaign in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, a league composed of Mountain Valley and Lehigh Valley Conference teams.While Gould admitted that the slightly altered schedule did not have a tremendous impact on how he viewed the season, he did note that making the games against the new opponents matter would go a long way in determining just how successful the Bears will be in their new league."Over the years, we have played a number of Valley schools, so there will not be much difference with that," Gould said. "The main difference is going to be that they are now league games, and in order to be successful, you need to win against your league opponents."After not qualifying for the district playoffs last year for the first time since the 2009-10 season, Gould is hoping he'll be able to lead the Bears back to the postseason, new league and all."My expectations for this season are for us to make districts, compete for the Mountain Division title of the EPC and contend for league and district championships," he said. "The guys we have coming back, along with several newcomers, will be key to our success."