KINGSTON — In 11 years of coaching the Kingston Cavaliers junior high basketball team, Tony Chisholm believes his most important job as a coach is adding to what he calls each player’s “toolbox.”

The “toolbox” — his analogy for the all-around skills a player has in his repitoire — looks empty for many of the 67 players who tried out for the basketball team. But for a select number of players, that will quickly change.

“They’re still learning,” Chisholm said. “But hopefully, we can do our part to prepare them (for the season).”

Of the 67 players, Chisholm and assistant boys’ coach Jay Devries whittle the number down to about 26 players — 12 for the varsity team and 14 for the JV.

“You want a bunch of kids to come,” Chisholm said. “You can get a good look.”

Assistant Coach Devries, in his second season, said the team will be young, raw, and a bit short in the height category — but full of potential.

“We’re pretty raw,” Devries commented. “But at this age level, the kids improve leaps and bounds.”

A veteran and strong front court will lead the team, the coaches agreed.

“I anticipate that we’ll bring a strong team inside, with Deitrich Rios, Brian Cleaver and Eric Schippers,” Chisholm remarked. “It’s a powerful front court.”

The back court is at a loss though, with starting point guard Steven Kirk out with a broken collar bone he sustained in the annual Poulsbo-Kingston junior high school football game. Players will have to step up, said Chisholm.

“We’re losing Kirk for now,” Chisholm said. “I’ve got to hold it down with the guards — depth is going to be the problem.”

The Cavaliers will have their work cut out — with their first game Nov. 25, the team has much to learn, the coaches said.

“(This league) is always tough,” Chisholm said. “I’ve been coaching against Poulsbo for years and they’re always tough. South Kitsap has great programs, so does Bremerton and Fairview — there are no bad teams in this league. It’s going to be tough all around.”

“(The kids) are learning plays for the first time,” Devries said. “We’ll teach them fundamentals, mechanics, a zone defense versus a man-to-man defense and how to run an offense.”

The attitudes of the players at the junior high level is something Chisholm said he enjoys most about coaching the team.

“(Junior high kids) can let a loss go a lot faster (than older players). When they lose, they don’t carry the anger, they can smile after a game,” he added.

But it all comes back to learning fundamentals and preparation, Chisholm remarked.

“Hopefully they can carry their toolbox and they can take it (to use) in high school,” he said.