Lehighton has three double-digit scorers returning and its head coach assures the club will push the tempo on offense.

But for the Indians to have the success they’re striving for, the key will be at the other end of the floor.

“Our biggest thing right now is we think that our season is going to be dictated on the defensive end,” said Trevor Miller, now in his eighth season at the helm of the boys program. “We had some moments last year where our defense let us down. We’ve spoken about that. We need to focus on getting stops and completing possessions by rebounding better.

“And obviously I think if we do that, with our scoring ability, we should be able to put ourselves in a position to win games.”

All indications are the Indians will win more than their share of games.

A year ago, they posted a 14-8 regular season mark and return six of their top seven players.

Included among those are senior Joe Roth, and juniors Cole Dietz and Blake Roberts. Roth led the team with a 15.43 scoring average and pulled down a ton of rebounds. Dietz finished at 14.78 ppg and drained 70 three-pointers. Roberts added 10.83 points per contest, and was strong inside while still being able to produce from the perimeter.

“They are our three returning leading scorers,” said Miller. “They can fill it up in different ways. Cole has committed himself to working inside the three-point line this summer. And he’s also worked on his range ... Blake is coming off a very successful football season where he was one of the strongest kids on the field, and now he’s going to be one of the stronger kids on the court.

“And Joe Roth is our most athletic kid who has been a starter for me for four years. He’s a guy we challenged a little bit more this year because we want his rebounding numbers to go ... both offensive and defensive. He’s going to get his average that he probably got last year just off his athletic ability, but we expect big things from him as a four-year starter.”

Senior Brayden Johnson, who averaged five points a game and who Miller calls “probably the fastest kid I’ve ever coached” will be the team’s point guard, while senior John Light can do a little bit of everything on the floor. Junior Caden Meek, meanwhile, is the team’s top defensive player.

“He’s our defensive stopper,” said Miller. “He’ll guard every team’s best player. He doesn’t care how many points he scores or how many rebounds he gets. He just focuses on playing the defensive end. And on successful teams, you need guys like that. (Johnson) is lightning, and he’s kind of grown with the ability to be able to see the floor. John Light is a guy who does all of the little things. He’s ... also a calming influence for everybody.”

The Indians also bring more experience and talent off the bench in junior Talin Fairchild, one of the team’s best shooters, all-everything junior Aiden Solt, and a very athletic player in sophomore Tommy Blair.

Rounding out the roster are senior Dante Kalbach and freshman Cash White.

“We think we can compete with all of the teams (in our district class),” said Miller. “But now it’s more of just going out and prove it.”

Miller is looking to more than just compete in their new league, moving from the Schuylkill to the Colonial. The Indians are very familiar with CL schools, posting a 6-0 record against them a year ago.

“We’re very excited (about being in the Colonial),” said Miller. “Last year, we had eight (regular season) losses and six of those were to three teams — North Schuylkill, Pottsville and Blue Mountain ... One of our goals is to make the league playoffs. Unfortunately, we have not been able to make the Schuylkill League playoffs the last few years ... so we’re excited for an opportunity to give ourselves a chance to win a league title and put ourselves in good position to compete in districts.”