As we continue to inch closer to the start of the high school basketball season, it’s worth taking a look at some of the key themes for the ADM boy’s squad. If the Tigers are to improve on last season’s 6-16 record, they must play — to borrow a baseball term — good “small ball.”

Tigers head coach Aaron Mager will be faced with the same sort of double-edged sword he’s encountered the last few seasons, and that’s a lack of size on the roster. ADM’s tallest players are junior Jacob Hardy and senior Sam Kornstad, who both stand at 6-3. On the positive side, ADM has a quick group of players who are more than capable of creating in the open court.

“Offensively, always we would want to get out and run a little bit, too. We feel like we have good personnel for that,” Mager said. “The seniors have played up-tempo; that’s when they’re most comfortable. That’s when they’re at their best.”

The problem is when an opposing team has a true, back-to-the-basket post player that stands 6-6 or taller. In that case, Mager said, the Tigers will have to be a good position rebounding team and will have to get more stops defensively than they have been the past few seasons.

Mager said Hardy is capable of playing with his back to the basket, but stressed the junior is best suited to work from the high post, which creates driving lanes for Mager’s slashing guards, Jake and Joe Sloss. ADM’s first official practice will be Monday, Nov. 17.