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The Vincent Massey Vikings have sky-high hopes this year, and for good reason.
They broke through to the AAAA provincial final four two years ago at the junior varsity level, and now, with the most experienced and talented group Massey has fielded in decades, the Vikings are ready to surpass the opening round of provincials for the first time in head coach Brett Nohr's time with the program.
The Vikings are already three games into their season, with five more coming up as they take over as hosts of the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational, starting today at 2:15 p.m., against the Northlands Parkway Nighthawks.
"We know we have a better squad this year," said senior forward Callum Brosseau.
"We came to bring it all. Not many people know who we have on our squad, but they're going to find out pretty soon."
Massey already has a tournament win under its belt, having breezed through to the final of the J.H. Bruns Bronco Invitational last weekend.
The Vikings defeated the Grant Park Pirates 96-88, overcoming a 51-point performance by seven-foot forward Istvan Reid.
Under Nohr, who assists with the Brandon University men's program, the Vikings are essentially mimicking the Bobcats' lightning-quick tempo and trying to run teams out of the gym.
They haven't scored fewer than 90 points yet this year, so it's working.
"We're a big shooting team, we shoot lots of threes, 35 to 40 a game, that's our MO," Brosseau said.
"We like to full-court press, we like to pick up the pace of other teams, and we like to outrun the teams. That's what we do best.
"Since we have big guys, our one through five can guard anyone and everyone pretty much. The fact that we can run brings our team to a whole other level."
Anticipation has been building for this year. The Vikings brought three sophomores up to the varsity team last season, and all three started.
Now, the trio of Knox Smith, Markus Stevenson and Nathan Santin have more responsibility.
Nohr explained that as Grade 10s, they were allowed to make a few more mistakes, and the team would accept them as learning opportunities. But now it's time to limit those errors and become leaders.
Brosseau feels they can do just that.
"Markus brings everything you need. He can break a press; he finds the open man every time," Brosseau said.
"Then you have Knox. He's speedy, he will blow by anyone, he gets tough finishes. Nathan brings incredible defence, and he brings the vocals.
The Vikings can run a smaller lineup out with the six-foot-three Brosseau and Logan Van Santen at forward, or go bigger with six-foot-six Rylan Lidster protecting the rim.
Last weekend, Nohr platooned full lineups regularly. He said he isn't quite sure what his starting lineup is, since he feels comfortable putting everyone on the floor already.
They'll face some big tests this week in Pool D of the Victoria Inn Division (Tier 1).
On Friday, they take on the Miles Macdonell Buckeyes at 10:45 a.m., then entertain Regina's Martin Monarchs at 2:15 p.m.
The Crocus Plainsmen are also in the Victoria Inn Division, hosting most of the Pool C games.
They face the Sisler Spartans today at 4 p.m., then the Jeanne-Sauve Olympiens on Friday at 9 a.m., before taking on the Steinbach Sabres at 4 o'clock.
The top team in each pool reaches the championship semifinals on the Healthy Living Centre main court on Saturday at 11:40 a.m., and 1:30 p.m.
The final is at Massey at 7 o'clock, following the Source for Sports Division final at 5:10 p.m.
"Playing at home, it's always fun," Brosseau said.
"The crowd is stacked, and I feel like that brings us lots of momentum. That makes us play better, it makes us press them better, and I feel like it's going to be an advantage for us. I'm very excited about it."