BUFFALO TWP - Trying to replace a team's top three scorers - as well as the team's longtime leadership - is always a daunting task.

That's what Freeport boys basketball coach Mike Beale faces as he returns as the head coach, replacing Garrie Davies for the second time in three seasons.

Still, Beale has seen first hand what his players are capable of achieving.

"These seniors were sophomores when I was the coach," said Beale. "They've been here for three section championships and they know what to do.

"We want them to show strong leadership. They've dedicated themselves over the summer through our summer league and our summer workout," Beale added.

It won't be easy, as the loss of Brent Ferko (18.9 points, 6.1 rebounds per game), David Bauman (15.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game) and Chuck Chelecki (10.6 ppg) will be a tough threesome to duplicate.

Ferko, now at Juniata College was a Butler County All-Star first-teamer and Bauman, who went to Division I Albany, was a second-team choice after being a first-team selection as a junior.

Throw in assists leader and team playmaker Luke Westerman (6.2 ppg, 5.6 apg), who is playing football at Slippery Rock University, and the Yellowjackets appear to be thin in the experience department.

The top holdover is 6-foot-4 senior forward Chris Plocki, who averaged 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game."I look for Chris Plocki to be a force and have a big year," said Beale.Others who most likely will be with Plocki in the starting rotation are 6-foot senior forward Carl Bowser, 6-3 junior forward Nick Rutkoski and 6-foot sophomore Brian Zimmerman."Those three are real strong players inside," noted Beale.Sophomore Brady Sherrieb will be at guard, joined by senior Brad Naedele and junior Brandon Schweiger. Sophomores Matt Caripolti and Nate Kotecki will be thrown into the mix as well."We have a super sophomore at the point guard position with Brady," said Beale. "He's real intense. He gives 100 percent all the time."Senior forward Ian Kaminski and senior guard Tim Mackowski saw action in 17 and 13 games, respectively for the Yellowjackets, and they will also contribute."We can go eight or nine deep," said Beale. "I'm looking to play a lot of kids."That's been a standard at Freeport, something that has helped contribute to the three consecutive section titles.Beale was an assistant to Davies until the 2002-03 season, when Davies stepped down as coach for health reasons.He returned last season and Beale took his spot as an assistant coach.This year, Beale no longer has the interim label and hopes to continue the success the program has enjoyed under Davies' watch.He knows a fourth straight section title might be a tall order because the section looks solid from top to bottom."This is a very extremely talented section, especially now with Burrell coming in (from Class AAA, where they won their section) and with Greensburg Central Catholic and Jeannette."I think we can match up with most of them. (Burrell) Coach (Ron) McNabb always has his team prepared and Greensburg is always prepared too," Beale added.

2004-05 Boys ScheduleDec. 3-4-at Springdale Tip-Off Tournament; Dec. 7-at Leechburg, 6 p.m.; Dec. 10-KITTANNING, 6 p.m.; Dec. 14-JEANNETTE, 6 p.m.; Dec. 17-APOLLO-RIDGE, 6 p.m.; Dec. 21-GREENSBURG CENTRAL, 6 p.m.; Dec. 23-at East Allegheny, 6 p.m.; Dec. 27-28-CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT, 6 p.m.Jan. 4-at West Shamokin, 6:30 p.m.; Jan. 7-at Burrell, 6 p.m.; Jan. 11-FORD CITY, 6 p.m.; Jan. 14-at Jeannette, 6 p.m.; Jan. 18-at Apollo-Ridge, 6 p.m.; Jan. 21-at Greensburg Central, 6 p.m.; Jan. 25-EAST ALLEGHENY, 6 p.m.; Jan. 28-WEST SHAMOKIN, 6 p.m.Feb. 1-BURRELL, 6 p.m.; Feb. 4-at Ford City, 6 p.m.