When Jason McElmoyle took over the Jim Thorpe boys' basketball program last year, he was faced with the daunting task of reversing recent losing records due to a revolving door of head coaches, annual low turnouts, and a lack of team discipline both on and off the court.

With competitive improvement from last season, a commitment to offseason weight room training, and a large turnout this fall, it's obvious that the kids are buying into McElmoyle's philosophy."My staff and I walk the talk," said the second year mentor. "If we are going to hold our kids accountable, then we have to hold ourselves to that expectation. We had five to six coaches at summer open gyms, and anywhere there is basketball in Jim Thorpe at every level. We want the kids to know we're in this for the long haul."Last season's eight victories marked improvement that McElmoyle feels should result in more wins this season, despite the fact that there is no returning double digit scorer. He feels this year's team, which sports five seniors, is well balanced with size, strength, and quickness.JT will count on 6-7 Rayan Green to be an inside presence on offense and a rebounder and stopper on defense."We will get Rayan in position to score," says McElmoyle. "He's much more comfortable with our offensive schemes. On defense, he's our rim protector who takes up a lot of room in the paint. Rayan has a long wingspan. He will force turnovers and be an effective shot blocker."At 6-4, junior Matt Elmore is another inside presence McElmoyle will count on for scoring and defense."Matt is very athletic and he hit the weights so now he's stronger. He's very active on defense and good at pushing rebounds out into the passing lanes to get our offense running up the floor."Junior Brendan Carroll will take and score his share of three-pointers,"He's comfortable with the ball and he wants the last shot in a close game. He's learned to take his game north to south rather than east to west which will open up more shots for him."The coach's cousin, Jordan McElmoyle, wears the label of JT's best defender, and is extremely aggressive and will defend an opponent's top scorer."He would run through a wall and he will take a charge from anyone who comes down the lane with the ball."McElmoyle will also rely on Chris Micciche to get the ball out on the break and push his team's up-tempo game. Aaron Joyce and newcomers Nate Rosahac and Zack Searfoss are all expected to see playing time.McElmoyles' defense will adjust to each opponent's strengths. He feels they have the ability to play an effective zone or body up in man-to-man.Jim Thorpe will have to improve its consistency to "play as good as we can be," said their coach."Like everyone else, our goals are to win a league title and make the playoffs," McElmoyle added. "We are still a work in progress, and we are learning what it takes to win."