As the snow clears and the courts empty out, the boys’ handball team, The Dragons, is looking forward to another successful season. After finishing with a perfect, 12-0 regular season record in 2008, the team looks ready to build on its previous accomplishments. But this year poses a new challenge for the reigning Manhattan II Division champions.

The Dragons now have large gaps in their lineup due to the loss of players. Ten of the 22 players on the team last year were seniors. However, the returning players and the new members are looking to fill in the holes and lead their team to the playoffs.

Some players on the team believe that the loss of the starting players will not fundamentally upset the team’s talent. “It won’t really have much of an effect. I feel we’re going to win in our divisions just like last year and the one before that,” junior and co-captain Lawrence Ly said. With this optimistic attitude in place, it will be interesting to see if they will repeat an undefeated season.

Coach and social studies teacher Robert Sandler shares the team’s positive outlook on the ‘09 season. “I have high expectations for them and a lot of them look optimistic about the season,” Sandler said. ”I have faith in them that they will do well.”

Sandler believes that the obstacles the team will face this year will only make them stronger.  Because of the loss of last year’s starters, they will have to put extra effort into creating an effective starting lineup.

“For our practices we’ll probably just spend more time than last year, finding out what are the best doubles and singles players to start,” junior Phillip Chan said.  Not only is that going to add extra work for the juniors and seniors, but the underclassmen will have to step up to the challenge as well.

“A large number of them [the underclassmen] haven’t ever been in real matches or competed in PSAL competitions. We’re trying to get a lot of scrimmages in before their first game,” Sandler said.

Sandler has also made practices more rigorous in order to prepare the team for the upcoming season. “Our first practice Coach already gave everyone a chance to play and see how everyone is. In the past, when we got on the team, we didn’t really have any chances to show how good we are,” junior and co-captain Darren Lin said.

The Dragons’ first official match is Tuesday, March 24 against the High School of Environmental Studies. Last year, Environmental came in second place in the division with an 8-4 record, and will probably pose a challenge for the Dragons again this year.

In order to complete another undefeated season, Sandler thinks that the junior co-captains, Lawrence Ly and Darren Lin have to be leaders as well as star players. ”They’re going to have to serve as role models for the younger players and be leaders. They have to tutor and help them with their hooks and how to properly hit the ball,” Sandler said. With the loss of last years’ seniors and the large number of underclassmen on the team now, it appears the Dragons will face difficulties this year.  However, the confidence displayed by the players shows that they are ready for the challenges ahead and are prepared to hook the season in their favor.