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Steamboat Springs — By 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, a group of eager players were inside the gym at Steamboat Springs High School, preparing for the upcoming basketball season.

It didn't seem to matter that the first official practice is still four days away.

"Saturday is our first official practice," Steamboat Springs boys basketball coach Kelly Meek said. "That's the first time the players are required to be here."

But the sound of bouncing basketballs and coaches' whistles have filled the gym for more than a week. Meek and his assistants opened a preseason camp Oct. 30 that will run through this Friday.

"We do a tremendous amount of skill work during this camp," Meek said. "It's a chance to get players up to speed before official practice opens."

The basketball camp is not mandatory, but most of the Steamboat players understand the value of getting a jump on the season.

"This camp is key to preparing for the season," veteran player Colby Kostur said. "We work on a lot of individual stuff that has made me a better player."

Many players have worked to fine-tune their skills during the offseason. Most of the players in this year's camp spent the summer playing basketball at similar camps or were part of teams that played a demanding regional tournament schedule.

Meek says this camp is key to getting a good start this winter. It helps ease players into the season and introduces players to how the Steamboat system works.

"This is my fourth year coming to the camp," senior Cameron Petet said. "It's important because this is where we learn what's going on with the team. I've learned a lot of different things the past four years, but the most important thing I've learned is to listen to coach Meek."

It's also one of the few times that the squad's older players get a chance to work with some of the younger Sailors before splitting into varsity and junior varsity squads.

"It's great to have the two groups working together," Meek said. "It's a chance for the older players to show the younger guys how to be successful at the high school level."

In addition to spending a lot of time polishing up basic skills, Meek said he plans to put in generic offenses and defenses and then perfect them when official practices begin.

"Things are going to get a lot more intense next week," Aaron Calkins said. "So we need to learn the basic stuff now, and that will help us when the season gets rolling."

After more than a week of practice, Petet is confident the Sailors are off to a good start.

"We are going to be pretty good," Petet said. "I've got a good feeling about this year's team."

Meek also is excited about the upcoming season, but he is trying to temper his enthusiasm. He said the team might be without several key players because of injuries. He also is waiting to see how the seven or eight football players that are expected to come out for basketball will impact the team. However, he is excited about the start of the season and already is looking forward to the Sailors' season opener in Roaring Fork on Dec. 1.