There were a lot of good vibes coming out of Tamaqua during the fall sports season.

First and foremost, was the football team winning a District 11 championship for the first time in school history, and making a long run in the PIAA state playoffs.

It’s often said that success is contagious. That it breeds an air of confidence – a winners attitude.

That’s something coach Jim Barron is counting on during the upcoming boys basketball season.

The success probably might not happen overnight since the one drawback to the football team’s success was a couple weeks of missed basketball practice for several players who play both sports. But the positives far outweigh the negatives for Barron and the 2019-20 Raider hoop team.

“Until we can get everybody together and gel, it’s going to take some patience,” said Barron.

Although Barron is confident that two key members of the team who just reported for their first practice a few days ago – Lucas Gregoire and Braydon Knoblauch – won’t need too many reps to get in sync.

“Lucas and Braydon both had great summer workouts, so they will step right in,” said Barron. “Nate Boyle has decided to come out for his senior year after missing last year and you know what kind of an athlete he is so that’s a plus for us.”

Two other football players — seniors Nicko Bollentino and Sean Lavine — will also be counted on.

Other key members of the rotation are expected to be Barron Stauffenberg and Nate Gregoire, who both saw quality minutes a year ago.

Brian Milot and Luke Verta will give the Raiders quality depth.

Behind a pair of high-scoring returnees in Knoblauch and Lucas Gregoire — the pair combined to average around 35 points a game last season — Tamaqua’s forte will be its offense. The Raiders hope to be even more up-tempo this season and take advantage of their outstanding athletes to run the floor.

“We’ve never been a team to slow it down, and the guys we have can put it into the basket,” said Barron about the offensive potential.

But that doesn’t mean Barron is conceding anything on the other end of the floor.

“Our defensive (play) wasn’t as good as our offense last season, but we would like to improve in that area,” said Barron. “We want to pressure and trap, and because our depth was a little thin last year, we weren’t quite as effective as we hoped. We should be a little deeper this season, which will help us defensively.”

Barron says he has the ideal point guard in Stauffenberg.

“Stauffenberg is maybe the most athletic kid on the team,” said Barron. “He does so much for us on the floor.”

The return of Boyle and the improvement of Nate Gregoire from his freshman year to his sophomore year are two big bonuses for Barron.

But at least early in the season, the onus will fall on Knoblauch and Lucas Gregoire to carry this team with their individual skills until the team chemistry and coordination comes to the fore.

“They both averaged 17 points a game last season, and we’re going to rely on them, especially at the start,” said Barron.

The vibes those two and their football teammates bring from the gridiron to the hardwood can hopefully provide the same type of magic at Tamaqua in the winter season as it did in the fall.