All teams eventually form an identity - a signature trait that separates them from previous years.

When asked about this season’s club, Lehighton boys’ basketball coach Trevor Miller didn’t hesitate revealing the one word that best describes his Indians.

“This group, I would define as hungry,” said Miller, who is entering his fourth season. “They want to qualify for districts, they want to qualify for league playoffs, and I think if we focus on what we need to do and we do the things that we’re expected to do ... we should be right there at the end of the year.”

Part of the reason Miller is optimistic about getting to the postseason is that four starters return to the lineup.

“In my four years here, I’ve been lucky to have one guy come back as a starter from the previous year. To have four is great,” said Miller, whose team was 8-14 a year ago. “You can’t ask for much more than that, especially in the situation that we’re in where we didn’t have an offseason ... We picked up right where we left off. They know all our sets. They know our defenses. They know what we’re trying to do. So it’s not having to reteach that stuff. With the way our summer went with all the COVID stuff, it’s definitely a huge benefit this year to have four guys coming back.”

Miller’s top two scorers from last season - Zach Hunsicker and Richard Yturrino - account for half of those returning starters.

Now seniors, Hunsicker averaged 11 points per game a year ago, while Yturrino finished at 10.2.

“Zach’s a four-year starter on varsity, and a guy we think can be one of the best players in the area and our league,” said Miller. “He can play all five positions on the floor. He can score at all three levels, and is a very dynamic scorer. Richie was our leading rebounder. He’s a guy who has an endless motor, and he’s just a really tough guy to guard because he’s quick and athletic and strong.”

Lehighton’s backcourt of Jack Lorenz (4.1 ppg) and Carter Strauss (4.3) is also back. Lorenz, a junior, will be at the two guard while Strauss - who missed the final seven games due to an injury - is at the point.

“Jack’s probably been ... our most improved player from last year,” said Miller. “We’ve seen such an improvement in not only his game, but also his confidence. He will play a slasher role for us, getting in the paint, driving and kicking. He gets up and down the floor really well. Carter, we really missed him toward the end of the year last year and we’re excited to have him back. At the point guard spot, he’s extremely intelligent and he knows our play book just as well as I do. It’s always nice to have a guy like that.”

The final starting spot will rotate based on matchups. Filling that fifth position will be either junior Mason Costanbader, senior Dylan Guyn, or junior Brayden Lutz.

Whomever doesn’t start will play a key role off the bench, one that Miller expects will be deep.

“We feel like we have 10 guys we can put on the floor, and not really lose anything when we put them out there,” he said. “They’ll all be playing because of the situation with wearing masks and how we want to play.”

Those also expected to see minutes include seniors Max Hoffman and Cassidy Schaeffer, and junior Tyler Rehrig.

“As far as our identity, being hungry is a big piece of it, but they’re also a very close-knit group,” said Miller. “This is probably the closest as far as team camaraderie, guys that just pick each other up, that I’ve had at Lehighton ... They take the whole team concept seriously. They’re fun to be around, and they’re a fun group to coach.”