Asked to describe his team this winter, Hopkinton High School boys basketball coach Tom Keane simply replied “very, very young.”

The Hillers started the season with only a couple of players returning from last year’s squad.

“We are kind of starting over,” Keane said. “But they are all working very hard, and they are getting better.”

Hopkinton does not have much size this year, so Keane said his team will rely on speed and quickness, both of which are strengths. And, despite the youth, the Hillers are not without experienced players. Gavin Cho has taken over as a captain this winter in his third year with the varsity.

“He is going to be a key for us,” Keane said of the 6-foot-1 senior. “He is one of our taller players but also one of the better ball handlers. So he is going to have to play all over the court.”

Cho and fellow senior captain Tory Ahlstrom-Hall are two players who Keane said will have to lead the way this winter.

“From there, we are looking for some of our other seniors who are getting an opportunity to play bigger roles,” the coach said.

Senior guard Myles Heavey and classmate Alex Piccioli are two players Keane said are embracing having more time on the court and more chances to pitch in for the Hillers. Hopkinton also is counting on players who were on the junior varsity a season ago. Connor McNally, a guard, started the year strong in the season opener against Dedham. Rocco Spinelli is someone who can contribute to the scoring, with Keane describing him as an “excellent shooter.”

The lack of size also led to Keane keeping a freshman on the varsity roster for the first time in his 20-plus years at the helm, 6-foot-2 Patrick Reilly.

“He is doing a good job rebounding so far,” Keane said.

The Hillers are hoping to turn their reliance on guard play into a strength, with Keane highlighting the need to be strong on defense.

“We are going to play fast and we are going to have to get after it and turn teams over the press,” he said.

The Hillers, who lost their first two games of the season but bounced back to win their next four, are competing in a strong Tri-Valley League. Keane said Holliston and Westwood look particularly strong, but even the smaller schools in the TVL will be tough to reckon with this season. Still, Hopkinton is setting its sights on the postseason.

“The expectation is for us to try to improve every day,” Keane said. “We want to keep getting better, and we would love to qualify for the state tournament.”