Come Nov. 16, when the Deep Run High School boys’ basketball team opens its 2012-2013 season against Thomas Dale High School, 270 days will have passed since head coach Curt Kassab and his Wildcats have taken the floor. And coming off a stingy loss to Highland Springs in the Wildcats' first playoff appearance under Kassab, this year’s squad will be hungrier than ever.

Deep Run will be looking to build off last year’s 16-9 season – the school’s first winning season since Kassab took over as head coach two seasons ago. Last season also marked the first District and Regional tournament appearances in the Kassab era. “Our goal every year is to compete for a district title and a birth in the Regional Tournament,” Kassab said.

Repeating last year’s success will be no easy task, however, as Deep Run heads into the 2012-2013 season losing 10 players to graduation; most notably first-team All-District guard Parker Hull and second-team All-District center Lucas Dyer. This leaves a mere four returning varsity players for Kassab and company, and only one, junior guard Tim Branin, with extensive varsity game experience.

These key departures mean new faces will have to step up and lead this year’s team, a challenge that senior guard Nick Butz welcomes. “I’m looking forward to being a leader of the team,” Butz said, “I expect our team to be tough and have a great year.”

While most are ready to write them off, Kassab sees this team with loads of untapped potential. “We have some talented young players and it’s important that we develop these young kids,” Kassab said. “I think that is critical in building a good basketball program.”

With three-fourths of last year’s team gone, Deep Run will have to rely heavily on its renowned student section, the “Wildcat Wackos.”

The Deep Run basketball program has tons of momentum after last year’s playoff run; however, with the large amount of turnover, repeating last year’s success will be an immense challenge for coach Kassab and the Wildcats.