The Toll Gate boys’ basketball team didn’t take the first step it was hoping to take in Thursday’s non-league opener against Johnston. But in a 34-21 loss, the Titans at least saw what it will take to pave the way for future steps.

“On given nights, I think we have the potential to do a lot better but we also have the potential to do worse,” said head coach Tom Rayko. “It’s really all about how hard the kids work and how hard they want to play.”

For the Titans, that could make a big difference.

It hasn’t been smooth sailing for Toll Gate basketball in recent years. After a decent start last season, the Titans ended up going just 3-15 in league play. That came on the heels of a two-win season the year before.

With a strong nucleus of seniors back in the fold, the Titans are hoping for a leap into playoff contention this season. Based on the improvements they showed last year and over the summer, Rayko thinks it’s possible.

“I’ve seen us play and we can play really well,” Rayko said. “I’m not going to say we’re some superstar team, but when we play a good aggressive style, we’re fine. We’ll compete.”

The Titans were hoping to do that right away, but they ran into trouble in Johnston. After jumping out to a 7-0 lead, they found themselves trailing 14-13 at the half. An eight-minute drought in the second half took away any chance of a comeback as Johnston pulled away for the 13-point win.

“I’m not necessarily worried about the loss,” Rayko said. “I thought Johnston played well. They’ve got some tough players, and they’re big. It wasn’t the fact that we lost – my big concern was how we lost. We were very methodical, we weren’t moving to open spots on offense and we really weren’t boxing out for rebounds.”

The Titans made just three field goals in the second half and let Johnston pull down 11 offensive rebounds. While Rayko wasn’t expecting the Titans to be at full speed yet, he was hoping they’d be further along in those aspects of the game.

“It bothered me that we weren’t a little more polished on those sorts of things,” Rayko said. “Running the offense, rebounding, talking and getting our hands up on defense – we started getting good at stuff like that at the end of last year and during the summer. Those are the things I shouldn’t be going over this year. That’s what bothered me the most.”

The Titans played another non-league game on Friday and lost to Cumberland but they bounced back Saturday with a 66-25 victory over Fatima. Though Fatima plays a level below Toll Gate, that performance fits in better with the team’s expectations.

Seven seniors are back in the fold this season, and all of them saw big minutes last year. Guard Jordan Paolissi has been one of the team’s leading scorers for several years, Corey Duffney is a capable point guard, and the trio of Alex Carr, Dylan Cummiskey and Dustin Slocum should give Toll Gate a strong inside presence. Senior Josh Greenless earned more playing time late last year and should also play a key role.

The Titans also have juniors Shane Moran, Dan Bacon and Will Pickering dressing varsity, along with sophomores Colin Stamps and Nick Carr.

The Titans hope to use depth to their advantage, especially at the defensive end. Rayko knows the Titans won’t be an offensive juggernaut, so defense could end up being a defining characteristic.

Toll Gate hopes the definition is a positive one.

“We’re not a super high-powered offensive team, so we need to be a good defensive team, and we can be,” Rayko said. “I’ve seen us play aggressive and I’ve seen us play tough. I know it’s in us – we’ve just got to do it.”

The Titans will begin league play on Wednesday at home against North Providence. They’ll visit Pilgrim on Dec. 22.