Roster depth is a key element to success in the game of basketball. As a head coach, being able to turn to the bench and feel confident about substituting a player in the game is sometimes an overlooked quality in a team.

Bench players can be hustlers, shooters, distributors, and rebounders, with all of them having a specific role or niche that can help a team win games.Lehighton head coach Rich Oertner is hoping that this year's team depth can make up for some of the scoring power it lost due to graduation a season ago."This is probably the deepest team I've had since I've been coaching at Lehighton," said Oertner. "I have some guys that can score, I have some guys that can hustle and make plays. Everybody on the team is pretty much a two-sport athlete, so we're going to be athletic and we're going to be able to run the floor."Point guard Andre McDowell (7.29 ppg) and shooting forward Damian Mele (9.13 ppg) are returning starters who will be counted on to be the catalysts on the offensive side of the ball. Also playing a key role will senior post player Donnie Buchinsky.Oertner expects McDowell to be the engine that drives the Tribe's offensive attack."We're going to need those guys to score for us, especially until our other guys gain some confidence. But I think we're going to be really balanced like we've been in the past, which is what I like because then opposing teams can't just focus on one of our players," said Oertner. "But I like the way Andre, Damian and Donnie look. I think Andre McDowell is really going to have a good season, and in my opinion he'll be one of the premier point guards in the area."Caine Carpenter (Jr.), Addison Howland (So.), Jack Schaeffer (Jr.), Collin Troxell (Jr.), Zach Crum (So.), Nick Skrincosky (Sr.), and Greg Venuto (Jr.) are also expected to see significant time on the court for the Indians. With Lehighton's numbers being so good in the depth department Oertner is looking to play a more up-tempo style, which he thinks is the best chance for his team to gel and get better as the season moves forward."With the depth that we have, we're definitely going to try and push the ball," said Oertner. "I think that's what we need to do until we get better on the defensive side of the floor. I really think we can be a team that plays well together and I think pushing the ball is the best way to use the athletes that we have."Pottsville figures to be the favorite in Division 1 of the Schuylkill League this season, but the general consensus is after the Tide, the division is pretty much wide open. Early season success is important for Lehighton if it wants to stay in the mix for not only the division race, but also for an all-important District 11 postseason berth."I think it's safe to say that Pottsville is the team to beat once again this season, but everyone is going to be really competitive in our division," said Oertner. "I think for us, it's really important to get off to a good start, so some of our more inexperienced players can gain some confidence."Inexperience can really hurt you, so if we can get a couple of wins early on that would help us out a lot."