Entering his second year at the helm of the Sandpoint boys basketball team, Will Love is beginning to see his team gel together. 

Love brought his concept-based offense to the boys team last season, but the team was bogged down by injuries, which made it difficult for them to find a rhythm. Yet after a robust summer schedule, the Sandpoint head coach said he's seeing the concepts implemented by the Bulldogs on their own. 

"I think it will allow us to progress faster this year," Love said. "Some of the basic elements that are part of the part of the system, both on the offensive and defensive end, it's just been ingrained with those kids now." 

While the team isn't set, Love is confident that he'll be able to lean on four returning seniors to power the offense. That list is headlined by Brock Yarbrough, the team's lone returning all-league player, who averaged 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal per game last season. 

Yarbrough will play alongside fellow senior football players Knox Williams and Logan Iverson, in addition to Derrick Chamberlin. Yarbrough and Iverson flexed their scoring capabilities, with both scoring near 30 points in a game last year, while Williams should provide another outside scoring threat. 

With the loss of 6-foot-9 Logan Roos, the 6-foot-5 Chamberlin will provide size and quality post play for the Bulldogs. 

"[Chamberlin's] experience playing varsity basketball for four years now, and just the athleticism and the skill that he brings makes that senior group that's returning one of the better groups of seniors that are returning in North Idaho," Love said. 

Sandpoint's head coach said one of his team's principles of play is to work through the paint as much as possible. Love said that they'll look to drive to the rim with their guards more often this season, which should create looks outside for Williams and their other scorers. 

The ideal Bulldog offense will get at least one paint touch a possession, Love said, with the team looking for shots close to the basket or out past the 3-point line. However, with the scoring potential of his seniors, Love said they should be able to get buckets in non-ideal possessions. 

"We should have the ability to also not need to get the ball into the paint and be able to manufacture some good shots because of the experience that we have," Love said. 

Where the Bulldogs struggled last year was on the other side of the court, which resulted in the team not holding onto early leads several times. Love said he's focused on the team slowing opponents' dribble penetration and finishing defensive possessions. 

Across the summer schedule, the Bulldogs were showing far better spacing on both sides of the court. Love said limiting those lapses in spacing will help slow opponents on the defensive end. 

With the seniors on board, Love said he's excited to see how the team progresses and believes they can compete for the 5A Inland Empire League Title. Sandpoint will face off with Lakeland, Lewiston and Moscow for that crown, which currently belongs to Lewiston. 

"I'm super optimistic about this group because we've got a bunch of hard workers. We're in year two, and I know that they've got a lot of pride," Love said. "The kids that played in that Vallivue game. They were bummed out that they didn't get that opportunity to go to state, and so I know that's going to be something that motivates them." 

Sandpoint opens their season with their first of two matches with Bonners Ferry on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. 

Players to watch: Brock Yarbrough, sr., G; Knox Williams, sr., G; Derrick Chamberlin, sr., F. 

Most anticipated matchup: TitleOne Tip Off Tournament, Dec. 10-12. 

Schedule: 

- Nov. 24 @ Lake City Jamboree - 5:30 p.m. 

- Nov. 28 vs. Bonners Ferry - 7 p.m. 

- Dec. 4 @ West Valley (Spokane) - 7 p.m. 

- Dec. 7 vs. Priest River Lamanna - 7 p.m. 

- Dec. 10-12 @ TitleOne Tip Off 

- Dec. 15 @ Lake City - 7 p.m. 

- Dec. 22 @ Glacier (MT) - 4:30 p.m. 

- Dec. 28 @ Sunnyside - 8 p.m. 

- Dec. 30 @ Pullman - 8 p.m. 

- Jan. 5 @ Bonners Ferry - 7 p.m. 

- Jan. 6 @ St. Maries - 7 p.m. 

- Jan. 9 vs. Post Falls - 3 p.m. 

- Jan. 15 vs. Lakeland - 8 p.m. 

- Jan. 25 @ Lewiston - 7 p.m. 

- Jan. 30 vs. Moscow - 4 p.m. 

- Feb. 4 vs Coeur d'Alene - 7 p.m. 

- Feb. 9 vs. Lake City - 7 p.m. 

- Feb. 11 @ Lakeland - 7 p.m. 

- Feb. 13 @ Moscow - 7 p.m. 

- Feb. 16 vs. Lewiston - 7 p.m. 

*Schedule as of 11/13, subject to change.