The graduation bug wiped out at least half of the Bonney Lake High boys basketball roster.

But what remains for the Panthers is quality and determination, new coach Rob Smith said, factors that will quickly come into play.

The back court will surely be a highlight for the black and teal as it will feature a tandem of seniors in Nathan Day, a point guard who will be responsible for running the offense and Ramsey Thoms, a deadeye shooting guard, who was money from the charity stripe and the floor, averaging double digits in the scoring department last season. The third guard is junior Lawrence Williams and Smith says that a few more practices will be required before a fourth guard reveals himself.

The Panthers will revolve around 6-foot, 6-inch junior post Mike Gould, who will be making his debut at the varsity level. Smith had nothing but praise for his big man, saying he improved during summer league games.

Smith said his crew is comprised of coachable and active athletes who are working hard in each and every practice.

“I think that these guys are starting to buy into my basketball philosophy of being able to know the system, relying and trusting one another to be there when the chips are down and use adversity to gain valuable experience and make yourselves better as a unit,” Smith said.

Working against the Panthers’ was winter weather that put a deep freeze on everyone’s practice plans.

“We are improvising as best we can,” Smith said. “Thank goodness our first league game isn’t until early January and all of our contests in December are nonleague games and tournaments.”