It finally has arrived.

After missing a scrimmage, two scheduled games and taking a two-week quarantine ‘break’, the Chesterton boys basketball team will open its season at home on Saturday night against Lowell.

The JV game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.

“This is how the year’s going to be for everyone,” Chesterton coach Marc Urban said. “We were able to get 7 practices in before we shut down. You could tell our kids stayed in shape when we came back.”

The engine that runs the Trojan show is junior guard Travis Grayson (13 points, 4 assists).

“Travis is a really good point guard,” Urban said. “The expectation is for him continue to grow.”

Chesterton’s core group will be about six deep with seniors Luke Lombardini, Sean Elliott, Charlie Eaton, Tyler Vanderwoude and junior Chris Mullen.

“Sean, Chuck, Mullen, Luke and Tyler all have played, but now their roles have changed,” Urban said. “The adjustment of going from being a role player to being one of the guys is tough. Tyler and Chris are really good players and Sean started every game for us last year.”

The Trojans also have an extended roster that will allow Urban to share minutes amongst several players.

“Evan Smilgius, Karson Kardenas and Carson Parrish all fit in the mix for us,” Urban said. “So do Owen Guest and Nick Furmanek. And we’ve got a couple of freshmen in Justin Sims and Tyler Parrish too.

“We’ve got some guys that will get a chance to get some minutes and they have to be able to take advantage. It’s a good problem to have when you don’t know what is going to happen day to day.”

Entering his fifth year, Urban has the school’s first Sectional title since 1987 on his resume, but that’s not enough.

“I think we have things headed the right direction as a program, but I don’t think you ever arrive,” Urban said. “How do we get better? How do we continue to succeed? The passing on of what is expected starts now. The kids are proud to be a part of it.”

And Urban has learned a few things as well during the time off.

“The one thing that you really realize with the time off is how much you like being around kids,” Urban said. “I really like coaching and having the opportunity to build a team. Now that zoom is introduced to all of us, you can share your screen and watch practice with them. You can get a little more hands on with them.”