Will Biggs can't wait to get started as the new boys basketball coach of the Siuslaw High School Vikings.

"As we get closer to the season, things are starting to fall into place, and my juices are beginning to flow," Biggs said Monday.

"I've been around the community, and optimism isn't high," he said. "I'm more optimistic than anybody I know."

The retired college coach took the job in late September, succeeding Jack Butler, who stepped down after three seasons.

Practice begins Monday, Nov. 16, for winter sports, including boys and girls basketball and wrestling.

"Cross country and football are still going on, so I don't want to step on anybody's toes," Biggs said.

"I did talk with (football coach) Tim Dodson, and he was incredibly encouraging and positive."

Two impact players for boys basketball would be 6-foot-6 sophomore Trent Reavis and 6-4 senior Reese Siegel, both now contributing to the Vikings' successful football season.

Biggs has chatted with both.

"Reese and Trent have been awesome," he said.

Every team needs a good leader, and Biggs likes what he sees in Vikings quarterback Preston Mitchell.

"I love his competitiveness, and he's a leader," Biggs said. "He brings so much. He has all the qualities to be a fine point guard."

Biggs has yet to add to his staff. The scheduling is being handled by Siuslaw athletic director Jeromy Graybill.

So far the Vikings are scheduled to open Friday, Dec. 4, at home against Coquille, then host Elmira the following Friday, Dec. 11, according to the partial schedule on the Oregon School Activities Association website.

Siuslaw is also playing at Sutherlin on Dec. 15 and at Elmira on Jan. 5. The only Far West League games set are with Brookings-Harbor, a road game Jan. 22 and a home game Feb. 12.

Biggs knows he has some work to do to build both a team and community optimism.

But he had successful programs at both the high school level and the college level (California State University East Bay), so he appears more than up to the job.

"I don't know much about the league, but then they don't know us," Biggs said.

"We might surprise some people."