Mark Telge should be calling this a “rebuilding” year. He should be worried about how Central High’s boys tennis team is going to look after losing four of its top six players. The idea that two players who’ve never played the sport are now starting for the Little Green should be worrisome.

With more factors working against the team than for it, Telge definitely shouldn’t be brimming with optimism about this year’s team.

But he is.

Gone are top-six players Sean Kennedy and Chris O’ Connell. In are newcomers Billy Statires of Hooksett and Will Brooks, who account for most of Telge’s confidence when he peaks at his current roster.

“Imagine my surprise when a couple of the basketball players came out for the team,” said Telge of Statires and Brooks. “It was a pleasant surprise getting some competitors. They know how to win, they know what it takes to get there, and they’ll combine well with some of the returners who were a part of last year’s success.”

Joining the new duo, known mostly for its contributions to back-to-back Class L boys basketball championships, are juniors Buddy McQuade and Ben Sink, who enter as three-year starters and will play in the No. 1 and No. 2 slots, respectively.

In the third spot is Hooksett senior Mike Ouellette, while Brooks will play in the No. 4 hole.

Senior Devon Aiken earned a way into the starting six, playing as the No. 5 seed. Statires rounds out the Little Green’s singles rotation.

Already Telge’s confidence in the new squad is growing thanks to a 3-1 start as of Wednesday, April 25. Opening last season with three losses, Central rattled off nine straight wins for a playoff berth, but having earned one-third of last year’s wins in the season’s first two weeks has Telge smiling.

“They’re working their fannies off trying to make up for the time we couldn’t get (on the courts) with the bad weather,” said Telge. “The question is, will I have time to develop them?

I don’t know because the bad news is we have the most hellacious schedule I’ve had in 31 years coaching. It’s the who’s who of Class L, it’s Concord, West, Keene...”

Tough schedule aside, the Little Green have maintained consistency. The doubles combinations of McQuade and Sink, Ouellette and Aiken and Statires and Brooks have performed well together despite a weather-dampened preseason.

“We’re good as long as we can sneak into the tournament,” said Telge. “If we do that, I think we can do some damage. We can really do some damage.”