By SETH STASKEY

Times Leader Sports Editor

MORRISTOWN — Union Local put forth a season in 2021-22 that head coach Zach Delman said had some “high and low moments.”

As he prepares for his seventh season at the helm of the boys basketball program at his alma mater, Delman has a roster that leads him to believe more highs than lows could be on the horizon this winter.

“Every day is a battle,” Delman said. “We want every day to be a battle among you, your teammate to get better so when Tuesday and Fridays roll around, we’re able to be at our best.”

The Jets come into the season with high expectations as four starters return from a 10-13 outfit. While embracing those expectations, Delman is well aware that they mean absolutely nothing once the ball is tipped off.

“Having expectations can be both good and bad,” Delman said. “Sometimes people telling you how good you are or how good you should be takes a toll and a team loses its edge. We’ve talked about the expectations for this team and with four guys back, they should be there, but we know the work has to match it.”

Along with the experience, the Jets have other ingredients, which normally go a long way in determining success on the basketball court. They have size, foot speed, athleticism and skill.

“We have a nice mix of everything,” Delman said. “Size is something that we’ve not always been blessed with here, so we changed our philosophy and style somewhat. We’ll probably be more of a slashing-type team this year than we’ve been in years past. We’re still going to shoot it and we have guys capable of making shots.”

The Jets, who had the opening of their season delayed due to Bellaire needing to push back a game because of its football run, plan to use their size and length in both the halfcourt and full court both offensively and defensively.

“We’ve been working on a couple of different pressures and we’re going to use some new things that we’ve not done over the last few years,” Delman said. “I think we’re going to be able to put guys in a better position to score the ball.”

The experience factor is where the Jets have a clear leg up, especially when considering they have four seniors who are all multiple-year starters.

Senior swing player D.J. Butts returns after an impressive season last winter in which he averaged 13.8 points per game.

“D.J. is a slasher, but he’s worked really hard on his jump shot and finishing with his weak hand,” Delman said. “He’s added some complementary moves to his inside game. He’s a good kid who has put in a lot of time.”

The Jets’ ball-handling duties are in good hands with senior Beezer Porter back as the point guard. He put forth an impressive campaign last winter, too. He poured in 14 points a game.

“Beezer is a kid who leads by example and just enjoys the game of basketball,” Delman said. “I think he’s going to take the next step. We’ve stressed to him to be a little bit more selfish at times. We want him to score more.”

Senior Carter Blake is an inside-outside option and the Jets’ most athletic player in terms of running and jumping. He averaged 8.2 points a game and erupted for a career-high 25 in the Jets’ tournament loss at Bellaire.

“Carter jumps as well as any kid I’ve ever coached,” Delman said. “He’s a tough, strong kid who shoots has worked on his shot. We’re counting on him to make some shots and rebound the ball. He’s also a good defender.”

Senior Jared Miller will patrol the paint at 6-5. He’ll be wearing a face shield this season after he underwent a nose surgery in the offseason. He’s coming off a junior season in which he scored just under six points a game.

“It feels like Jared is 100 years old he’s been around the program for so long,” Delman joked. “We’re asking him to play his role and that’s own the lane, stay out of foul trouble, alter shots and make layups. He has improved his mid-range game.”

The fifth starting spot is expected to be held down by sophomore Dre Saunders, who saw some action off the bench last winter. Delman expects him to be able to take some of the ball-handling pressure off of Porter.

Off the bench, the Jets plan to employ sophomore Isaiah Tomolonis along with junior Easton Ditzler, who is a newcomer to the program after moving to the Union Local district from Illinois, and junior Alex Moore, who is a transfer from Bridgeport where he averaged 13.7 points a game.

The Jets’ depth took a hit when Gannon Kerns was ruled out due to a knee injury.

Others vying for minutes are sophomores Billy Schumacher, Logan Hess, Peyton Causby and Brandon Mehl.

Ticketed primarily for jayvee duty are sophomore Nick Grob, sophomore Sean Akire, freshmen Colby Carpenter, Conner Smith and Bobby Boone.

The Jets’ schedule underwent a few minor changes. They’ll take on Wheeling Central, Warren and Magnolia in neutral-site events. They also picked up a single game with Brooke.

“I like the schedule,” Delman said. “It’s competitive and challenging. We’re confident we can beat anyone on the schedule, but if we don’t show up and play four quarters, we can lose to anyone on the schedule, too.”

Delman’s coaching staff at the varsity level includes: Vaughn Butler, Jim Hess, Doug Butts and Dustin Roe. Tony Gregor, Eric Kerns and Luke Menges are working at the junior high level.