Westside rolls into next week’s Big Atlantic Classic on a positive surge, and coach Nick Cook says its because the Renegades have discovered the meaning of team.

“It’s been a team effort,” stated Cook. “We’ve been doing a lot of team building and trust exercises, and apparently it’s working.”

WHS beat Class A No. 3 Tug Valley recently and knocked off Liberty, which features the state’s top post player in Levi Cook, on the road.

The Renegades face their biggest challenge yet when they battle AA No. 1 Bluefield in the opening round of the BAC on Monday at the Beckley Raleigh County Convention Center.

Bluefield is 9-1, with its only loss coming to AAA rival Princeton.

The Beavers have an all-state guard duo in Lykel Collier and Anthony Eades.

Defending Collier will be the key, Cook says.

“You have to stop him from penetrating and getting to the basket,” he noted. “But it’s not just his scoring but his passing. You can’t let him have 10 assists. And you can’t give Eades open shots.

“We also have to be able to handle their pressure defense,” said Cook.

Monday’s game is slated for a 7:25 p.m. start. The other two AA participants, Wyoming East and Robert C. Byrd, play on Tuesday night.

“It’s an opportunity to play some of the top teams,” Cook commented.