By Charles (Foster-Frazier) Crane | Sportswriter-helper

Bass Lake High School’s boys’ basketball team undertakes the new year on a positive note.

The Canoes enter Friday’s conference cager-tilt vs. Steepwater Perch with a 6-3 record.

Teammates, fans and coaches alike are excited, especially considering how young the Canoes’ lineup is.

“The roster is full of sophomores and freshmen — oh, and a junior and, plus, a senior who isn’t very good and doesn’t play much,” said statistician Porky Vegan. “I shouldn’t even be telling you any of this … here comes the coach.”

It’s only the second time since at least 2003 (or before) that BLHS entered a new year with at least three, if not four or more, wins under its belt.

“Hey, hey, we’re not winless,” said Canoes coach Zeb Dreppelin, humming, at a New Year’s Eve gathering. “We finally didn’t (Monkee) around!”

Dreppelin said his team is about to embark on the “meat” of the schedule, although he denied using that phrase.

“I wouldn’t call it that,” he exclaimed. “More like a really big side-dish of expensive cole slaw.”

Starting V for Bass Lake Canoes (6-3, 1-1 Moonshine Conference) vs. Steepwater Perch:

• G Villy Villiams
• G Scooter Vespa
• F Barley Vingle
• F Parker Valet
• C Eruptum Vincebus

In a recent victory, Grade 9 sensation Vingle exploded for a single-single, scoring one point.