After the elimination of his team in the first round of last year’s Class I playoffs, Bow boys basketball coach Chris Gaudreau thinks a deeper team this year means a deeper postseason run.

Gaudreau, beginning his fourth year as head coach, said this group has smarts and a good mix of younger and older players.

“We have some sophomores and freshman that will play a significant role on the team this year,” he said.

Gaudreau pointed to freshman guard Connor Hill, who played quite a bit in the team’s first game of the season against John Stark.

“He showed a lot of poise for a freshman,” Gaudreau said.

Captains for this year’s team are senior guards Brian Chergey and James Fellows, and senior forward Marc Simpson.

“We had a good preseason. The work ethic has been good,” said Gaudreau. “Now we just have to keep it up.”

He described senior forward Devin Rush as a player who isn’t afraid to play physically against bigger opponents if other Bow players get in foul trouble.

“With our success the first couple of years I was here, we’re out to show that we’re not just a flash in the pan,” he said.

The progression of Fellows and Chergey has helped both players, Gaudreau said.

“Those two playing together has really allowed Chergey to move off the ball and become a scorer for us,” he said.

Despite the graduation of 6-foot-8 center D.J. Poitras, the team still has four players listed at 6-foot-3 or taller.

The Bow team has a stretch of four home games sandwiching the Christmas break, and Gaudreau said it allows his team to meld.

“Being at home for a little while helps, but if you can’t win on the road that will be more of a problem later in the season,” he said.

Gaudreau said he looks to senior forward Nick Sarette to clamp down on the opposing team’s best scorer.

“Nick is a very smart player defensively, and that’s what a coach needs,” he said.

Gaudreau added his team has average speed, but conditioning and changing defensive schemes – based on the type of opponent – should negate that problem.

Bow lost its first two games this season, but Gaudreau said he was pleased with his team’s spirit and determination.

“The thing about this league is that you can’t take any nights off,” said Gaudreau, “We kept ourselves in the playoff hunt last year, and I think this team has a chance to move that forward.”