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The 2020-21 winter sports seasons was nothing shy of grim with limited spectators allowed in gymnasiums and masks everywhere in sight. Games had to be livestreamed as away spectators were not permitted in homestanding gyms.

However, with a year passed, things are looking much more promising for the Blue Devil basketball team, and the reduced entry requirements aren’t the only reason why.

Although the mask mandate is still in place for indoor sports, the spectator limit has been lifted along with the players not having to wear masks as they compete. The players will also now have a full schedule as opposed  last year’s with a shortened one, which never even began until after students returned from Christmas break in January.

The Blue Devils look again to coach Patrick Cassidy to lead the team to another winning record. This is Cassidy’s third year with the Devils following a 10-9 season overall in 2020-2021, with a 9-2 record in ICC play.

The program has lost some key starters in Zach Miller, Zach Mallon, and Trenton Pellegrino, but have talent returning to the roster.

The team looks to senior letter winners and returning starters Sean Mallon and Connor Gibbons to lead them to a successful season. Mallon averaged 7.4 PPG as well as 4.2 RPG and 4.7 APG last season while Gibbons averaged 8.1 PPG and 3.1 RPG.

The Devils have several other players back with significant varsity experience, including junior Caleb Beiswinger, and senior Kyler Sweigart, who appeared in 17 games last season.

Gibbons was injured during the Blue Devil football team’s final game in the playoffs against Richland and will not be ready to go when the Devils kick off their season on Friday December 10, when they host the Tyrone Golden Eagles.