Both varsity basketball teams are kicking off their seasons tonight in a home doubleheader, starting with the girls playing Elizabeth Forward and wrapping up with the boys playing Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic.

The boys team wants to show that Baldwin is a team to look out for.

“We want to come out strong and win our first game,” junior Shane Gilbert said. “We need to have a good start to the season.”

The Highlanders are looking to seniors Mike Goga and Nick Fiumura to lead the team.

“Mike and Nick are vocal on the court and are helpful off the court,” Gilbert said. “We are also expecting a big season from senior Jeremy Jenkins coming back from injury.”

The team added a new defense and some new plays to the playbook this year.

“This new defense and plays are structured well, which should help us through the season,” Gilbert said.

The team wants to make the playoffs like last year, and are hopeful to make a run for the section crown.

“We are looking to start a winning culture on this team and to win the section and go deep into the playoffs,” Goga said.

The girls team, meanwhile, will be relying on some new faces this year as 1,000-point scorer Lauren Gilbert graduated.

This year the girls will be looking to senior guard Abbey Larkin and freshman Anna Lucarelli.

“I’m both nervous and excited for my first game because I have been waiting a long time for this, but I’m definitely more excited,” Lucarelli said.

Senior Teia Swiger said Baldwin played Elizabeth Forward twice in the fall league and Baldwin won both times.

The Highlanders have adjusted their defense this year, Swiger said.

“We’re going to play more zone into man (defense),” she said.

The team will try to work out some kinks in their first game, but still expect to come out with the victory.

“There will definitely be mistakes. But we have to make sure to stay positive,” Lucarelli said.