Catonsville's boys basketball team went 10-10 during the regular season last year, but for the third year in a row the Comets lost a first-round playoff game.
Catonsville coach Matt Fannon is hoping to break that streak in his fourth season as coach.
"Our goal is to get past that first hump in the playoffs, get a home game and get to the second round," Fannon said.
Leading the charge in the frontcourt are a pair of 6-foot-6 bookends — Antwan Pearson and Musa Wichhart.
Behind them, Fannon can also call on 6-6 sophomore Ross Kidd or 6-6 junior Kajaun Jeter, who both move up from the junior varsity.
"We have a ton of height this year," Fannon said. "You can't teach height, which is a good thing to have."
Fannon noted Pearson averaged in double figures in scoring last season and was close to double digits in rebounding.
Pearson, who played football in the fall, played in the all-star football game for Baltimore County against Baltimore City and led his squad to victory for the third year in a row.
He was also named Most Valuable Player and competed with Comet gridiron teammates Danny Bruno, Garrett Wack, Arsalan Syed and Nate Merrill.
His interior play will be most valuable on the basketball court as well.
Getting the interior players the ball will be the challenge for senior point guard Brandon Johnson (6-0) who was a varsity reserve last season.
Juniors Jamal Johnson (5-10) and Zachary Caslin (5-10) add depth to the backcourt.
Caslin is a strong perimeter shooter.
Senior Jeffrey Sewell (6-0) returns to varsity as one of the forwards, along with juniors Kevin Parrish (6-0) and Eric Sheppard (6-3), and sophomore Nate Chambers (6-2).
"Nate Chambers and Kevin Parrish are streaky, but they can also shoot from the outside," Fannon said.
Fannon also hopes the familiarity of playing together will help the team chemistry.
"These guys [seniors] have played together for four years so they know the system and I like how they played together on the jayvee team."
In additon to a size advantage, he likes his team speed.
"We have quickness, we're fast and hopefully we can use that to our advantage, but we are going to have to go through a little bit of growing pains, with only four guys coming back with varsity experience," he said.
Fannon's 2013-14 squad lost some close games and he hopes they can reverse those results.
"We have to work offensively on protecting the basketball," he said. "That was one of our weaknesses last year. Some of those close games that we lost was due to a lapse in the third quarter. If we can protect the ball, in pressure situations that is one thing we are focusing on."