Averett University men's basketball coach David Doino— in this third year – blows his whistle, signaling an end to his squad's pre-practice warmup. He calls his players over and the team forms a huddle around him. Doino talks to his team for several minutes, stressing the importance of uniting over the changes and uncertainty that come with any new season. The speech is quick and to the point.
 
"We can either come together and win as a team, or lose as individuals," Doino says. It is a message he has been stressing throughout the Cougars' 2016 preseason camp.
 
Doino will rely on the veteran leadership of six key returners from last year's squad to help accomplish the goal he's set for the team.
 
"We're very confident that the guys we have coming back can help lead the team on the court and on the other side of the campus in the classroom," Doino said.
 
Senior Charles Bryant, a 2014-15 USA South All-Conference selection and the program's sixth leading rebounder, will lead a squad that features 10 freshmen. Bryant led the USA South last season in rebounding with 8.6 per game and will be a key force for the Cougars at the small forward position.
 
Backing up Bryant will be junior guard James Contreras Jr. In two years at Averett, Contreras has made 43 starts and appeared in all 53 games the Cougars have played. He provides Averett with solid leadership abilities it will rely on this season.
 
Junior forward Darin Ketner and junior guard Brandon Baker will also serve leadership roles this season. Ketner and Baker have a combined 46 game appearances and are both comfortable with Doino's system and style of play.
 
Rounding out the returning corps for the Cougars are sophomore forward Austin DeLucia and sophomore guard T.J. McAllister. DeLucia appeared in all 26 games as a freshman and shot 42.3 percent from 3-point range, making him the third most efficient long-range shooter in the USA South. McAllister made 20 game appearances as a freshman and will play a larger leadership role this season.
 
With a roster consisting of only one senior and 10 freshmen, the Cougars will have the youngest team in Doino's three years at the helms. Doino has stressed to his leaders the importance of helping the newcomers learn the system and uniting over the adversity the team will face in 2016-17.
 
"Learning our system and what we're trying to do is going to take time," Doino said. "We can't get frustrated with each other and we have to understand it's a process and make sure every day that we're coming to work and trying to get better."
 
"If we can do that and we're there for each other through the adversity and stick together that's going to unify us and gives us the best chance of being successful this year."
 
Averett opens up its 2016-17 campaign on Nov. 15 when it hosts Hampden-Sydney College at 7 p.m. at the Grant Center.
 
 
Here is a breakdown of the team by position:
 
Guards:
Key Returners: James Contreras Jr., T.J. McAllister, Brandon Baker
Key Freshmen: Taj Thompson, Jalen Burnett, Accheaus Fields, Jamal Forde
 
Junior James Contreras Jr. is back for his third season at Averett. Contreras played in all 26 games, making 17 starts as a sophomore while averaging 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He is a high-energy player who is effective in transition and in attacking the rim.
 
Sophomore T.J. McAllister will help Contreras anchor the guard position after appearing in 20 games last season as a freshman. According to Doino, McAllister possesses solid game knowledge and decision making skills. He also has an infectious personality the team will feed off of this season.
 
Rounding out the returners at the guard position is junior Brandon Baker. Baker missed the 2014-15 season due to injury and appeared in two games as a sophomore last year. Doino says Baker is a great catch-and-shoot player and brings a ton of game knowledge to the Cougars.
 
Doino is also expecting freshmen Taj Thompson, Jalen Burnett, Accheaus Fields and Jamal Forde to have a significant impact on the team this season as well.
 
Forwards/Centers
Key Returners: Charles Bryant, Darin Ketner, Austin DeLucia
Key Freshmen: Moriba Diaby, Louis-Patrick Mua, David Meador
 
Averett returns a huge rebounding presence in the form of senior small forward Charles Bryant. In his three years at Averett, Bryant has recorded 602 career rebounds, putting him sixth on the program's all-time rebounding list. He led the USA South last season in rebounds, averaging 8.6 per game while scoring 10.9 points per contest. Bryant also posted 43 steals, 36 assists and 22 blocks.
 
According to Doino, Bryant can shoot from anywhere on the court and his rebounding prowess gives him the skill to record a double-double every time he steps out onto the court.
 
Junior Darin Ketner also returns at the forward position for the Cougars this season. Ketner appeared in all 26 games as a sophomore, averaging 10.5 minutes per game. Doino believes Ketner's versatility and work ethic makes him an impactful player.
 
Rounding out the returners is sophomore Austin DeLucia. DeLucia played in all 26 games as a freshman, averaging 5.1 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. His ability to shoot the long ball makes him a dangerous player, evidenced by his ranking of third in the USA South last season in 3-point shooting.
 
Freshman Moriba Diaby will look to fill the shoes of Carter Jones, who graduated in the spring. According to Doino, Diaby's toughness and quickness in adapting to the Cougars' system will make him effective for Averett this season.
 
Freshmen Louis-Patrick Mua and David Meador will also provide Averett with depth at the forward/center positions.