A new feeling in Bethesda

‘‘Coach, you going to win states this year?”

Such are the expectations for a program that, not so long ago, could be counted on to finish below .500. But after five straight winning seasons and two state finals in three years, the vibe has changed.

‘‘Truthfully, it’s a neat challenge,” said Thompson. ‘‘The big ticket is to play well toward the end of January, February and into the first part of March.”

Whether or not fans realize it, that goal will be a little harder to reach this year. Eight seniors graduated from the 2007 state runner-up, leaving only four varsity returnees.

Among the graduates were Jordan Herrera (6-foot-5), Jonathan Gregg (6-6) and Maurice Pearson (6-8). The new post players, juniors Caid Hearst and Jake Creigsfield, each stand 6-1, leaving Thompson with the smallest team he’s had at B-CC.

‘‘We’re not going to scare anybody walking into the gym this year,” Thompson said. ‘‘We’re back to kind of a normal varsity basketball team. ... We’re asking kids that are probably a little undersized to do the yeoman’s work.”

Still, there are two reasons why the Barons are not a normal varsity basketball team. One is that two of the four returnees were starting wings a year ago; 6-4 senior Austin Cooley and 6-3 junior Nate Koenig have been on varsity since they were freshmen. Despite their height, Thompson will leave the two talents on the perimeter, where they are most effective.

The second reason is that B-CC’s junior-varsity team went 17-1 last season. Junior guard David Williams enters the winter off a state title with the Barons’ soccer team; Thompson likes his ‘‘soccer motor.” Classmate George Smith joins Hearst and Creigsfield as other likely contributors off last year’s JV.

Add in senior forward Tyler Henry (6-4) and senior guard Jordan Wheeler, solid role players last season, and the Barons still have a nucleus with state-tournament potential.

‘‘We still have high expectations for our kids and our team,” Thompson said. ‘‘Nothing’s changed there.”

Location: Bethesda

Nickname: Barons

Head coach: Steve Thompson, 4th year (58-19)

State classification: 3A

Last year’s record: 22-4

Last regional title: 2007 (11th)

Last state title: 1984 (2nd)

Players to watch: G Austin Cooley, G Nate Koenig, F Tyler Henry