Tasting a trip to the District 11 3A finals last season may have been all the motivation that Bethlehem Catholic needed heading into the off-season, but coming home with silver medals in that championship game certainly adds fuel to the fire as well.

The Hawks enter the 2013-2014 season with 11 players back in the fold from last year, which should give head coach Mike Frew a plethora of talent and experience to compete on a nightly basis in the Lehigh Valley Conference.

It should also post the Hawks as early front-runners in the division LVC's East division, as Easton enters this season with a new head coach, while Liberty and Freedom have teams made up of mostly new players to the varsity scene.

Even still, Frew treads lightly when it comes to expectations, as talk is cheap at this point of the year.

"We began this season with a simple question, "'Are the habits you have today on par with the dreams you have for tomorrow?,'" said Frew. "This group has really responded to that question. With the large number of returning members to our team, we are expecting to challenge teams in our league on a nightly basis. We have added some Philadelphia Catholic League Schools (Arch Bishop Wood) to our schedule and will play in the Hoop Group Event on January 26th against Abington Heights, to add to our already competitive schedule. Our daily goal is to improve every day."

Improving everyday should be a problem that boasts plenty of talent with the likes of seniors Jamal Aziz (guard, 5-10), Eddie Hudak (forward, 6-0), Darwin Saint-Cyr (guard, 6-0), and Justin Lenzer (guard, 5-11). The junior group features Freddie Simmons (guard, 6-3), David Donchez (guard, 5-8) and Mike Italiani (forward, 6-3). Sophomores Andrew Hudak (forward, 6-7), Antwon Keenan (guard, 5-11), Julian Spigner (forward, 6-3) and DeAndre Tillet (guard, 5-7) round out the returning players.

Newcomers Nick Karabin (sr., forward, 6-3) returns after missing last year with a knee injury, along with sophs Salih Salaam (forward, 6-2) and Samaj Eutsey (forward, 6-3).

Frew will have his team play a high energy brand of basketball again this season, as he features plenty of athletes that highlighted Becahi's district championship run in football.

With Aziz running the point, along with Simmons ability to slash and Lenzer's penchant for hitting shots from the perimeter, the Hawks have one of the most solid guard combinations in the LVC. Throw in the size of Andrew Hudak to defend the rim and the athleticism of Spigner, the Hawks don't appear to have many weaknesses heading into this season.

With Central Catholic entering this season as the favorite in the conference, Becahi still appears to be looking up to their Catholic counterparts.

"Our expectations of ourselves remain high and to make an appearance in a second straight District 11 finals would be considered a success," Frew said. "We will obviously aim to change the outcome, but that's a long way away from now. I assure everyone that we will challenge ourselves to get there."