Coaches always want to see progress from their players. They want to see them grow as individuals and basketball players from the first day of practice to the day they turn in their uniforms.

The Northwestern Junior High boys' basketball team did just that as it progressed as a unit and as individuals this winter.

Asked if the team made progress this season, first-year head coach Chris Kretzman said "Absolutely."

"I think in the beginning of the season we won games based on our athletic ability," said Kretzman, a former varsity football and basketball player at Salisbury High School. "By the end, we were winning games based more so on our technique, being able to run our offense all the way, making smart passes and not relying on fast breaks. We were able to win on technique, which is a big accomplishment."

Using basketball skills or pure athletic ability, the team finished the 2013-14 season with an 11-8 record.

"Being new to the program, I couldn't realistically have any set goals without knowing the kids at all," he said last week. "The first time I met the kids was at tryouts, so I really didn't have too many season goals. In my mind, knowing what this level should be, I wanted to teach the kids and get them all playing time."

The former Northwestern Tiger himself achieved that goal as every member of his squad saw playing time in all 19 games this season.

Kretzman admitted that he realizes wins are nice, but are not important at the junior-high level. He feels the season was more of a success that his team's winning record indicates.

"It started off strong," he said of this past season. "I think that got our kids some confidence, maybe a little too much confidence towards the end when we were facing the teams that we played again. I think they went into it thinking that they were supposed to win a little bit, but I think it was a good season and gives them one to build on."

Kretzman had a few different players step up as leaders to assist him this season.

"One guy that was that wanted to break down the huddle, be the leader on the court, was Issac Fatzinger," Kretzman said. "He was definitely the leader of the team. Another guy that had a good attitude, never gave up and was definitely the most improved would have to be Ryan Hippensteel. I could be able to count on him 100 percent to play solid defense."

Holding their own on the court and contributing every game along with Fatzinger and Hippensteel were Trevor Cunningham, Ben Fenstemaker, Niko Fager, Dalton Miller, James Felch, Sam Yadush, Rob Seyfried, Matt Freeman and Lucas Summers.

All members of the team turned from athletes into basketball players this past season. Kretzman hopes their progress continues as they can go from basketball players to eventual starters for the Northwestern Tigers varsity basketball team.