Northern Lehigh head coach Jeff Miller has his work cut out for him. Over the past two years, his boys basketball team featured height and experience. All of that is gone and this year's squad will have to move forward with their experienced coach providing the 2014-15 Bulldogs a basketball 'makeover'.

Gone from last season are starters that totaled 40 points of offense that included guards Matt Egan and Tyler Dibilio, center Josh Landsberger, and a rotation that generally included just five or six players for most of the year.This season, the Bulldogs are smaller and quicker that suits Coach Miller just fine in regards to this year's plan. "We going to be more up tempo and pressure a little more and turn it into a track meet."His team will need to utilize their limited experience to the fullest. It all starts with, senior Aaron Hofmann (23 games) and junior Joe Egan (20 games)who return with the most on-court experience. Both will have to improve upon their combined scoring effort of 11 points per-game.While these are the only two with significant experience there will be need for a few more contributors than last year. "We actually have little more depth than other years," Miller said, "but some kids are going to be thrown into the fire right away."John Taylor (15 games) and David Shupp (14 games) will have to act as grizzled veterans to help those without experience. Coach Miller sees Taylor, Josh Hamm (4 games), and Brian Sheets getting work in the paint to fight on the boards.Shupp, a junior, is a player that could will step in and get some time and has the ability to make plays on both ends of the court. "He gives us more quickness than we've had previously," Miller said.Joining Shupp at forwards will be Brandon Smith, and Taz McNair .New to the group is Tyshawn Golden, a transfer from Dieruff, who will share the point with Hofmann in bringing the ball up the court. The junior guard fits into the new look but shares the inexperience of his new teammates as he too has minimal varsity experience.Coach Miller was pleased with the progress and the efforts of the team after their tri-scrimmage with Pottsville and Delaware Valley, but they have to quickly come together as the schedule to start the season is not kind.After a Tuesday scrimmage with Northampton, the Bulldogs should be ready to for their first outing at the tournament in Hamburg where they start with a very good Manheim Central team.After that, they open the league with Moravian Acadamy and then string together a set of games that include Colonial League favorites Southern Lehigh, Salisbury, Northwestern, and Palmerton. Then they host their Rotary Clasic that includes Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, and Palmerton.By the time the new year rolls around, the Bulldogs will have plenty of on court experience."One thing with this group is that they will get better as the season moves on," Miller said. "They are a gritty team, they enjoy being on the court, and they don't back down. I cannot tell you where we will be with wins and losses, but it will all come down to how quick we mature and play together as a team."