The 2016-17 season was a long one for the Ridgeview boys basketball team. But, with hard work in the offseason, the Ravens feel things could be looking up this year.

Second-year head coach John Nelson sees energy and enthusiasm in the group. That was evidence by the 49 kids who tried out for the school’s various boys teams, up from the low 30s last season, when the Ravens finished the season with a 1-22 record.

“The kids have come in with a really good attitude of wanting to work hard,” Nelson said. “They’re having fun at it. I’m really pleased with the guys who have made the effort to improve their skills .”

After a jamboree game Wednesday at Summit, the Ravens are scheduled to open the regular season at home Friday against Reynolds, of Troutdale. That will open a stretch of eight games in just over two weeks, including the Crater tournament, which starts Dec. 7 in Central Point.

“We know our schedule’s really tough,” Nelson said. “That will be a challenge both skill-wise and with stamina that’s involved with doing that.”

The players organized open gym practices in the spring, with coaches starting to work with them two or three times a week in June. Varsity players also took part in two tournaments in the Willamette Valley, where Nelson said Ridgeview played very well.

“When you win some games, it gives you confidence,” he said.

In July, the Ravens took part in the NBC Basketball Camp at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. Nelson said players were able to improve their skills in breakout sessions at the camp.

Once school started, players returned to open gym practices, again without coaches. Nelson said 20 players typically practiced, and that was without fall athletes, including captains Alex Nadermann, an honorable mention all-Intermountain Conference selection last season, and Nick Nelson, who played soccer.

Players voted on three captains, which also included second-team all-league pick John Wright, early in October, which gave them a head start on the season. The players appreciated the honor.

“I think it sets the tone for the program,” said Nadermann, who is coming off a co-IMC most valuable player season at the Ravens’ soccer goalkeeper. “It lets us be leaders early.”

Knowing he was going to be a captain early on was helpful, said Nick Nelson.

“It lets us know our teammates have our back, because we have their back,” he said.

Coach Nelson (no relation to Nick) said he likes getting one more shot at the Bend schools before they move up to Class 6A in 2018.

“We like the fact that we still have the Bend schools because it will challenge us,” he said. “We can prepare for when they leave and we have the new challenge in the new IMC.”

Ridgeview will also get a chance to see some future IMC foes in early nonconference play, with games against Crook County, The Dalles and Hood River Valley in December.

Coach Nelson expects the team to be better in scoring and defense in 2017-18.

“Even though they felt like they made progress last year, they want to show they can do better,” he said.

The Ravens are displaying better chemistry, Nadermann said.

“I feel like we’re going to play more as a team,” he said. “We’ll fight every single possession and show ‘em what we’re capable of.”

— Reporter: 541-548-2186, gfolsom@redmondspokesman.com