After upsetting West DePere in regionals last year, the Notre Dame boys’ basketball team will open their season against West DePere with a game at home on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Last season, the Tritons went 1-1 vs West De Pere, and this year, both teams bring most of their rosters back. 

“We are lucky to bring back a lot of experience and skill this year and we are hoping we can use that mixed with another year of work to be much stronger as a team,” explained senior Andrew Rader. 

Both teams are full of talent with multiple college prospects and commits. 

Senior Drew Siudzinski explained, “We have a deep roster this year with a lot of guys that can impact the game to win.”

“WDP is always talented and has plenty of players who could change the game in just a few shots,” said Rader. “Being able to defend as a team will be vital to winning on Thursday.”

“I think we match up well with them. It is really just going to come down to how hard we play and the energy that we bring. It should be a fun game to start,” said senior Adam Guyette. 

Siudzinski added, “It is always a good rivalry because we are in the same sectional. We have seen them in the playoffs the past two years in a row. I really like our matchup against their players and believe it’s going to be a great game.”

Over the offseason, the team has continued to work on their chemistry. 

“We have really worked on just playing basketball. We have learned our concepts and from there, it is just playing together,” said Guyette.

The team is ready for Thursday’s challenge, and they are excited to start playing in a full, energy-filled gym again. 

“The team is really looking forward to this season, and from previous games, they are much more fun when the stands are full, and it is a loud environment,” explained Guyette. 

Rader added, “Everyone please come to the game Thursday at home!”