Charles Forrest, the new Mathews High School varsity boys’ basketball coach, said he’s optimistic and excited about his prospects for the coming season, which begins on Monday at Tabb High School.

“I don’t think we’re in a rebuilding situation,” Forrest said. Although he has lost two of the squad’s key players—Deondre Foster and Chris Perreault—to graduation, he has a good number of returning veterans, along with some new faces.

The Blue Devils, reigning Conference 42 champs, will be led by captain Cody Kelly and fellow seniors Taiwan Forrest and Owen Cullison. The rest of the team is made of juniors along with one freshman, Elijah Willis, who was the star of last year’s junior varsity squad.

“I expect them to be even better this year,” Forrest said. “I look for us to have a really successful season. Our goal is to go deep into the playoffs … We can compete with anybody.”

Forrest promises t...