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Harvey’s boys varsity 2023-24 basketball team has some big shoes to fill … their own, as they begin the new winter season as reigning champions of both the Housatonic Valley Athletic League (HVAL) and the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC).

Head coach Denis Arnautovic returns for his ninth season guiding the Cavaliers, and will once again be assisted by Connor Welles. The two coaches hope this season matches, or comes close to matching, last year’s squad that went 11-1 against HVAL rivals and 16-9 overall.

Coach Arnautovic believes the greatest strength of the team is the fact that six players, two of them starters from last year’s championship season, will be returning. He also sees the team’s rebounding on both ends of the court and its ability to drive to the basket as two other strengths.

The coach is excited to see what junior point guard Jonah Kass can do as an encore to last season’s performance when the HVAL All-League, All-NEPSAC selection led the Cavaliers in points with 312 and a points per game average (ppg.) of 12.5 over 25 games. He was second in assists with 59. Kass sparked Harvey’s offense in the NEPSAC Tournament, averaging 16 points per game and was named the NEPSAC Class C Tournament MVP.  Coach Arnautovic sees even bigger things for Kass this year. “I expect Jonah to step it up a notch and become even more of a threat,” the coach said.

Also returning is Harvey’s big man, senior center Olaf Gorski, who got better and better as the year progressed last year. Gorski, who led the team last year in rebounds and blocked shots, was another All-NEPSAC and HVAL All-League player. Coach Arnautovic looks forward to seeing Gorski ruling the paint. “With Olaf, we can play more aggressively on the defensive side and on offense get better looks,” Coach Arnautovic said. Another key returner is sophomore Cameron Powell-Spruils. Coach Arnautovic said Powell-Spruils, who came off the bench last season, has developed a lot since then. “Cameron’s a threat from the perimeter and sees the game well,” the coach said.

Harvey’s two other starters are newcomers, junior Daniel Bussey and sophomore Piotr Pajewski. Coach Arnautovic says Bussey will impact the game on both ends. “On defense Daniel anticipates well and reads the opponent's intentions, and on offense he’ll be difficult to guard,” the coach said, adding, “His first step is hard to guard.” Pajewski is expected to play the three (small forward) and the four (power forward) for the Cavs. “Piotr has a good pace to his game and sees the floor well,” the coach said.

As he surveys the field of HVAL opponents, Coach Arnautovic believes Watkinson could be the team to beat. The coach says he’s excited to start another season but he knows the team needs to put last year’s tremendous campaign behind them and focus on winning this season. “After last year’s success we will have to prove ourselves all over again, but I’m confident that this team can do something special and be very competitive,” Coach Arnautovic said.

The new season tips off at home Wednesday, Nov. 29, as the Cavs welcome Hamden Hall to Fenstermacher Athletic Center for a 4:30 p.m. matchup. On Friday, Harvey plays in the opener of the annual Horace Mann Holiday Tournament. The Cavs will take on Loyola at 4 p.m. Depending on the results, the Cavs will play Saturday in either the championship game or the consolation game.