Much has changed for the Tenino and Rochester boys basketball programs since the final buzzer sounded just nine months ago.

Fresh off their first trip to the Yakima Valley SunDome in over a decade, the Beavers brought back the majority of their group except for one integral piece. Evergreen League MVP Noah Schow transferred to Annie Wright and the go-to scorer now must be replaced.

Still, Ryan Robertson has four starters returning, led by 6-foot-6 forward Jack Burkhardt and fellow post Austin Gonia. Will Feltus, Preston Snider and Ashton Moore anchor the guard core.

Tenino is off to an 0-3 start and all three setbacks have been by at least 15 points.

Rochester is led by former Centralia College coach Caleb Sells, who led the Blazers women’s team for six seasons before taking some time away. He takes over a program that won a combined four games up a level in the 2A’s the last two seasons.

The Warriors still will play their former league rivals in the non-league slate, but Sells believes they can be competitive down in 1A.

LeShawn Hines, a top long jumper in the area, will handle the point guard duties. Four seniors will be in the starting lineup alongside Hines, with Brayden O’Connor and Colton Weiss expected to handle the bulk of the scoring.