There is a winning attitude in the ranks of Tamaqua area sports teams, one that’s a carryover for sure.

Its girls set the tone last winter.

The baseball team ran the gamut in the spring for a Schuylkill League baseball pennant.

Look at how the upside came from the football and cross-country teams in the fall.

The swimmers and wrestlers are in that boat, too.

No coincidence, mind you. Winning breeds winning.

This winter could be more than chestnuts by the fireplace if the Tamaqua boys’ basketball team can figure a way to get out of the blocks in the jolly ole month of December.

Jimmy Barron is twisting and shaping the Blue Raiders through the usual two-week preseason drills.

The coach has a glisten in his eye; athletes are at the forefront. And, if he can get that to blend in with a crew of standout performers, figure a way to out-hustle the opposition, get the buses revved for a March Madness tour.

The plus factors for 2024-2025, a chore of returnees grace the roster, with a half-dozen seniors as the outcrop.

Try on Noah Mateyak, and the superb talents of Cooper Ansbach. That duo combined for 33.46 points per game. The Raiders averaged 58 points per game offensively as a team. Mateyak, a standout point guard, let it fly at 16.13 a clip, and Ansbach knocked down 10.36 each night. Three other seniors Brady McCabe (2.35), Matt Vecolitis (0.38) and Isaiah Davis (0.18) do more than just tag along; they are the depth providers for the squad.

The Raiders will also utilize the superb talents of Luke Kane, he of football and baseball fame. A 6-2 senior, Kane is a pure athlete, and is coming off a great football season, and a diamond for sure on the baseball team.

Last winter, Kane was a driving force at both ends of the floor with his rebounding, along with scoring 7.65 points a game.

Barron said trying to create depth is a critical part of this edition. He points to the loss of Connor Dillon – who led the entire contingent with 17.33 ppg – and the fact that Barron went to the bench for a sixth and seventh player, is a concern for this season. However, it’s still early, and there is no need to push the joystick, just yet.

“We need to find depth, and that is what we’re trying to develop here early in the preseason,” Barron said. “We (return) three guys who didn’t leave the court (last season). Now, we’ve got to find some other players to fill in and see how they fit into what we need in order to be a success this season.”

Once again, the Raiders lack height, with Kane and McCabe both listed at 6-2, though Barron says they’re strong, physical and can bang in a league that fits the duo. McCabe came off the bench and was effective in this role; now he’ll get the chance to start.

Elsewhere, Barron is relying on a pair of standout gridiron guys who can be effective in their roles. Victor Schlosser (5-9) was a shining star for the Tamaqua football team and Barron likes his athleticism, ditto for Davis, a 6-1, 240-pound player who will get his share of time.

“They’re two very good athletes, as you can see watching them play football,” Barron said.

Barron says the glue guy will be Ansbach, who returns at point guard, saying the 6-2 versatile senior will rarely come off the floor. Mateyak can shoot the lights out, the coach informed, and likes his ability to go to the rim.

Kane is a buster up and down the floor, a guy who can hit for twins and pound inside, and is a solid ball handler. McCabe will get give the club speed, and the ability to pick off rebounds. Finding a fifth starter is in progress.

In the mix is 6-2 sophomore Jakin Tamagini, who has the eye for the basket as a potential scorer. Barron is also looking toward fourth-year player Vecolitis, who he said needs to add to the offense.

During the basketball media day, Barron pointed out the restructuring of the Schuylkill League boys basketball landscape is going to make for high-intensity games night-in-and out. Besides the usual cast of characters in Division I – ala Blue Mountain, North Schuylkill, Panther Valley, Pine Grove, Pottsville – in jumps defending champs Mahanoy Area, and a very loaded and seasoned Minersville squad. The Division II boys figures in with Lourdes, Marian, Nativity, Schuylkill Haven, Shenandoah Valley, Tri-Valley, Weatherly and Williams Valley. The departed were Jim Thorpe and Lehighton, now residing in the revamped Colonial League.

“It’s a tough league, no easy wins; we’re going to have to grind out wins, but we’re going to be one of those teams that nobody is going to want to play, because we’re going to play defense every night,” Barron said.

That’s been a staple of Jimmy Barron teams since he took over the program. Last year’s numbers bare that out, as Tamaqua allowed but 54 points per game.