By SETH STASKEY

Times Leader Sports Editor

BELLAIRE — When J.R. Battista takes a step back and reflects on the 2021-22 basketball season, he called it a “step in the right direction.”

As his Bellaire Big Reds prepare for the upcoming season, which won’t begin for them until Dec. 10, the reigning Division III Eastern District Coach of the Year expects additional steps in that direction this winter as a solid core of players return.

“We were competitive in most games last year, but we still had trouble closing some of them out,” Battista said of his team, which finished 13-10 and bowed out in the sectional co-final in overtime at Ridgewood. “We’re a year stronger, faster and bigger, and we bring back three starters and our top sub.”

The biggest issue the Big Reds are dealing with really isn’t an issue in terms of a negative, but it’s still an issue. Due to Bellaire’s run to the regional championship game in football, the Big Reds had to adjust their schedule significantly and are playing catch-up in terms of practice and maybe more importantly their basketball conditioning.

“Counting scrimmages, our guys played football for 17 weeks,” Battista pointed out. “Obviously, we need some time to heal up and acclimate the kids to a different sport and conditioning, but these are good problems to have because many of the same kids who were successful in football are going to play big roles for us, so hopefully there’s some carry over. At a school our size, we have to share athletes, but it means we’ll have to get in shape quickly.”

The Big Reds conditioning will be important because of the style they once again plan to employ, which will be doing everything they can to “impose their will” on opposing teams through a full-court pressure.

“Sometimes the press works and sometimes the other team gets layups, so you have to take the good and the bad with that style,” Battista joked. “I am guilty of it, but you can’t get nervous when you give up a layup. It’s going to happen. But, this style fits us because of our athleticism and foot speed. We’re going to try to create a chaotic game and open up the court some, which will hopefully lead to us getting some easier baskets on the other end.”

That approach is why Battista really had no choice but to adjust the schedule significantly.

“When you’re running up and down, pressing and trapping, it’s a totally different look (physically) than football,” Battista said. “If you jump in too quickly, you could run the risk of injury.”

Though they plan to utilize the entire 94 feet of the court, the Big Reds boss has been around long enough to know there is going to come a time when they have to play offense and guard in the half-court.

“We’ll run our sets and hopefully get good shots,” Battista said. “We want to attack the basket, but we feel like we have some kids who are definitely capable of knocking down shots from the perimeter. We need to be better at finishing though. And we also have be to be better at the foul line and taking care of the ball.”

Leading the list of returnees for the Big Reds is senior Jakob Dowling, who is coming off a season in which he scored more than 14 points a game and knocked down 71 bonus goals, including nine against Union Local in a tournament game.

“Jake’s a very good athlete and shooter,” Battista said. “If you leave him open, he can knock it down. He’s good on the ball in the press and he rebounds well.”

Junior Mayson Sochor scored 11 points a game last season and Battista expects him to take another step forward this winter.

“Soch has really put in a lot of time in the offseason in terms of skill development and you can see the improvements,” Battista said. “He finishes well with both hands and he gives us a basket presence in the lane.”

The Pettigrew Brothers — Ray Ray and Mac Mac — will be two members of the Big Reds backcourt. Both are coming off seasons in which they scored almost nine points a game.

“Both are very good, fast athletes who are really good in the press,” Battista said. “Both can create a lot of havoc. Ray finishes well in the lane and Mac has improved both his shooting and his take to the basket.”

The fifth starting spot is expected to go to junior Luca D’Aquila, who saw spot duty off the bench last season.

Off the bench, Battista plans to utilize senior Pook Littell, senior Joey Lewis, who is back out for the team after not playing last season, and sophomores Keegan Davis and Maurice Webb.

The balance of the sophomore class includes: Dylan Bachie, Jake Craig, Manny Garcia, Levi Graham, Koltan Henthorn, Ethan Ostrander and Riley Robbins.

Freshmen vying for minutes are Landyn Bachie, Scott Balsei, Dane D’Aquila and Tae’vin Rose.

Bellaire’s schedule underwent a couple of minor changes. Bridgeport is no longer on the slate and the Big Reds will play both Buckeye Local and Steubenville Catholic just once. Those have been replaced by a home and home with John Marshall as well as single games with Brooke and Beaver Local.

“It’s a good, competitive schedule,” Battista said. “I feel like we picked up three, quality opponents, so hopefully it will help us in the postseason.”

Battista is being joined on the bench once again this season by Nate Regal and Nathan Steele.