MOOSEHEART, IL - February 21 seems a long time ago, but for the Mooseheart boys basketball team, that midwinter night still burns brightly.

That was the night the Ramblers exited the 2007 IHSA Class A Oregon Regional, their upset bid of top-seeded Byron ended late in the fourth quarter.

But with the majority of last year’s roster back and thoughts of that defeat still fresh, Mooseheart is ready to open the 2007-08 campaign.

“We played pretty consistent overall throughout the entire year and we built and were playing a lot better at the end of the year,” Mooseheart coach Jeff Perales said. “Getting that first (playoff) win over Oregon, beating them on their own court, that was big.”

Three seniors return from last year’s 17-7 squad for their third varsity seasons, forward Mike Tovar and guards Chris Morones and Floyd Mays. Tovar capped his junior season with a trip to the IHSA Slam Dunk Competition in Peoria

“I think Mike and Floyd and Chris are all better than they were last year,” Perales said.

Juniors Gabe Kendor, Ethan Grasty and Brandon Moreno all saw considerable playing time last year and fill an extremely deep squad. Kendor and Grasty figure to take starting roles vacated by graduated Stephen Pinto and Anthony Westbrook.

“They’re familiar with what our expectations are on varsity, and I’m seeing more out of them in practice already,” Perales said. “We’ll be a smaller team, but we’ll be a lot quicker.”

Senior Anthony Coleman has turned into a 6-6 post player who is the tallest on the squad by some distance.

“Every year I’ve known Anthony, it seems like he’s grown one or two inches,” Perales said. “He’s practiced well and we are definitely going to need him when we play teams with some bigger guys.”

The IHSA has split from two classes to four divisions for boys basketball. Mooseheart is a Class 1A school and will play schools close to its 113-enrollment when the postseason arrives.

“We’re excited about that,” Perales said. “With our quickness and our speed - I know the guys are looking to try to not only win a playoff game but maybe win a couple more.”

Mooseheart opens the season at the Somonauk Tournament and play 10 games by Dec. 13. There is then a break as the majority of students at Mooseheart head home for Christmas Break. The Ramblers will not play during the traditional holiday tournament season and return to action on Jan. 8.

“We have to focus and kept the guys in shape,” Perales said. “The guys that are around on campus, we’ll have some light practices. We always take a couple of steps back when the other teams are playing holiday tournaments. But one thing with our guys, they are really motivated this year.”

Mooseheart Child City & School is a 1,000-acre community and school for children and teens in need of a secure home, located just south of Batavia, IL, between Illinois Route 31 and Randall Road.

Founded in 1913, Mooseheart is supported completely through private donations - the great majority of which come from the 1.1 million men and women of the Moose fraternal organization, in more than 1,900 Lodges and 1,600 Chapters located throughout the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Bermuda. Moose International headquarters is located on the Mooseheart campus.

Since its founding, Mooseheart has operated a complete, accredited kindergarten-through-high-school academic program, plus art, music, vocational training and interscholastic sports. It is an extremely nurturing and student-tailored program, with an average student-teacher ratio of 12-1.

Mooseheart students who complete their studies with a 3.0 GPA or better (4.0=A) are eligible for up to five years of annually renewable scholarship funding, covering tuition, room and board in an amount comparable to that required for an in-state student at an Illinois public university.

Mooseheart is currently home to nearly 250 students, ranging in age from preschoolers to high school seniors. Applications for admission to Mooseheart are considered from any family whose children are, for whatever reason, lacking a stable home environment. Mooseheart boasts its own U.S. Post Office and a branch of Fifth Third Bank.

In addition to Mooseheart, Moose International also supports Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community near Jacksonville, FL founded in 1922; and conducts more than $90 million worth of community service programs annually.

Founded in 1888, the Moose organization has long offered its members an opportunity to do good for others while celebrating life, with family, social, and sporting activities. For more information on the Moose organization, visit the websites at www.Mooseintl.org and www.Mooseheart.org or call 630-966-2229.