The Boothbay boys basketball team’s task is simple this year. Coach I.J. Pinkham believes his team’s success depends on whether his team can rebound and limit turnovers. Pinkham is entering his 40th season as the Seahawks coach and his roster includes eight veterans and five newcomers.

The 2016-17 high school basketball season began on Nov. 21 and after a week of practice the Seahawks had two exhibition games on Saturday during the Winthrop tournament. In Boothbay’s games versus Mount View and Maranacook, the Seahawks struggled with rebounding and turnovers.

“We’ve definitely got some work to do in those areas,” Pinkham said. “We had 30 turnovers in one game. We need to learn how to play together, take care of the ball, know what a good shot is and rebound to be successful this season.”

Last year’s team finished sixth in the Maine Class South standings. The Seahawks upset No. 3 Madison in the quarterfinals before losing to No. 2 Winthrop in the semifinals. Boothbay ended the season with a 12-8 record. Boothbay plays a Mountain Valley Conference schedule, which means home and road contests against Madison and Winthrop. Pinkham expects the Bulldogs and Ramblers to place among the top teams in the conference and region. He also expects other MVC foes — Wiscasset and Dirigo — to be tough opponents.

“We play the toughest schedule in the MVC. We are the only school which plays those four teams twice this season. There aren’t many weak teams in our conference so I expect this to be a challenging season,” Pinkham said.

When Boothbay begins the regular season, the Seahawks’ 13-man roster includes a mix of returning players and first-year varsity players. The pre-season focus is on conditioning as Pinkham looks for players who can play the uptempo, fast-breaking style on offense. He is also looking for players who can play aggressive man-to-man defense.

“We’re trying to develop a little bit of chemistry and find players who understand their roles on the court,” Pinkham said.

Senior captains Jacob Leonard and Carter Babcock are two of the returning players who saw significant action on last year’s team. Leonard tore his anterior cruciate ligament in July. He has undergone rehabilitation treatment and expects to play later this season.

“It’s been a long process and I’m not sure I will be 100 percent,” Leonard said. “I’ve played three sports each year and not being able to participate in practice has been the hardest part. Hopefully, the doctor clears me to play tomorrow (Nov. 29) and I will be back on the court.”

Team officials expect Leonard may be ready to play by the Christmas break. Leonard, a six-footer, is the most experienced of the returning players. He was a starter last season and is an effective scorer. “He is a good athlete who can take the ball to the hole and score,” Pinkham said.

Babcock, another six-footer, also earned a starting position toward the end of last season. Like Leonard, he is adept at driving to the basket. Pinkham said he is also a good defensive player. “He is a hard worker and very aggressive defensive player. We really need him to play and rebound like he’s six-foot-two,” the coach said.

Other seniors include Austin Campbell, a six-foot, three-inch low post player. Campbell played significant minutes last season. In the post, he uses his “soft hands and quick feet well,” according to Pinkham. Guard Dimitry Gosselin is a quick and outstanding defender. “He runs the floor well and is a hard worker,” Pinkham said.

Alex Smith is a six-foot forward who saw considerable action last season. “He is quick. He’s a good shooter and rebounder for us,” Pinkham said.

Junior point guard Kyle Ames was the starting point guard last season. Pinkham described him as the team’s best shooter and an excellent ball handler. “He shoots the three very well and we’re looking for him to develop as the team’s leader on the floor,” Pinkham said.

Eli Gudroe returns for his second year as a varsity player. Gudroe is an athletic player who is quick and an outstanding shooter.

For juniors Jay Hasch, Graham Bryer and Nick Simpson, this is their first season on the varsity. Hasch is a six-foot guard who is quick, athletic and a good shooter.

Bryer is an outstanding shooter who displayed his prowess last weekend. “He shot the ball very well in the preseason games last weekend. Once he learns what’s expected of him he should see more playing time.”

Simpson is six-feet, five inches tall and is expected to contribute in the pivot. “He is a hard worker and understands what we’re trying to do on the floor as a team,” Pinkham said.

Guard Steve Reny is the only sophomore on the team. He played on the junior varsity last season. Reny is athletic and a good ball handler. “He should contribute on both the offensive and defensive ends for us this year,” Pinkham said.

Hunter Crocker and Nick Morley are the only freshmen on the team. Pinkham expects both players to see significant time playing during the junior varsity games to start the season. The coach called Morley “a hard worker and aggressive defender.” He described Crocker as “a freshman with the body of a man.”

“He’s athletic. He handles the ball well and is an aggressive defender. He needs to learn our system first before he gets playing time for us,” Pinkham said.

Boothbay begins the regular season with a home game against Mountain Valley of Rumford on Friday, Dec. 9. The first road game is Tuesday, Dec. 13 against Madison.