The Temple High School boys basketball team has multiple returnees with playing experience and key contributions from a season ago, including Dee Clayton, standout junior forward Kendall Lawson, Josh Shoupes, Roderick Bass and Ben Carter.

But more than anything those guys can bring to the table athletically, Tiger coach Steve Robinson has been glad to see their “right approach to basketball.”

“They came willing to believe in what we’re doing and win the right way, do things the right way and win the right way,” Robinson said.

While his team lost some players from last season, Robinson said those guys left an impression with the way they worked and that it has rubbed off on the guys still in the program. He said his team’s character and unity is improved heading into Friday’s season opener against Mt. Zion.

“That’s going to be the crux of our success,” Robinson said.

While Robinson noted the overall great effort and attitude from his team, he said Bass, a sophomore, has particularly stood out with his work ethic.

But all five of the returning players have brought an important experience factor to a group that will also be having new players find their roles.

Robinson’s guys have him optimistic about the season and how they will be good representatives of the school.

“These guys will make the Temple community proud for their hard work and their hustle,” Robinson said.

“They really kind of reflect the hard-working community, blue-collar community.”

Perhaps more than anything else, though, their unselfish nature stands out to Robinson.

“It just makes me feel good as a coach that I have kids that are so conscious of those things at an early age,” Robinson said.

“They understand the value of teamwork.”

Its those kind of lessons he said will serve them long beyond their days on the hardwood.