John Hofstrand took over the coaching reins of Bonney Lake High boys basketball program and is having the time of his life.

“This is a tremendous group of kids,” Hofstrand said. “I wasn’t expecting to (be head) coach again, but I coached these kids when they were freshman.”

Hofstrand took over as Panther coach when Brett McDaniel accepted the Sumner High basketball coaching job.

Hofstrand and his brother Rick where co-head coaches at Enumclaw High during the 2003-04 season.

The Panthers are a young team with two seniors and nine juniors.

Starting on the wing will be Nate Braun and handling the ball at the point will be Riley Baltazar.

Bonney Lake hosted North Thurston Tuesday in a nonleague game; scores were not available.

Bonney Lake’s first league match will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at Enumclaw.

Reach Dennis Box at dbox@courierherald.com or 360-802-8209.