MOSES LAKE - Coach John Hohman, now in his third year at the helm of the Moses Lake boys basketball program, has a tough row to hoe if the Chiefs expect to challenge for league supremacy this season as the team lost four key players to graduation.

Gone are the likes of starting guards Kevin Bennett, Cliff Phillips and swing-men Bryce Perez and Jordan Garcia who helped lead Moses Lake (7-14) to a third place finish in the Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference and an appearance in postseason play.

But he does have some battled tested players returning to the team who he'll look to fill the void.

"We have our four seniors (Cameron Ballard, Trio Rubio, Easton Baker and Denis Ulyanchuk) and some upperclassmen who will need to step up and fill the roles left open from last year's seniors," Hohman said.Ê"We also have some new faces on the team who we are looking forward to seeing how they handle this level of play."

Hohman said it may take time for his players to mesh and build chemistry with each other as well as with the coaching staff, but added the guys took a big step forward during the off season. "Their biggest challenge is learning our defensive and offensive systems, which will take some adjustments and patience," he said. "However, with the group of players we have, we are looking forward to league play."

The strength of the Chiefs squad this season, Hohman said, is the teams willingness to learn.

"These kids are a fun group to coach and be around," he said. "And if they continue to work hard and accept their roles it could lead to a successful year."

The stiffest competition in the league this year is expected to come from the Wenatchee and Yakima Valley schools.

"Those teams will be tough," Hohman said. "They have some great returning players, so I think it is going to be a dogfight every game this year."

Moses Lake opens the regular season at home against Wenatchee Friday, December 14.

Chief fans will be treated to doubleheader action at home this year as both the boys and girls teams will play on the same night.

They will also travel together for road games this season.