There are a lot of familiar faces around the Rock Falls boys basketball team this season, but one newcomer is going to make an impact: head coach Brad Bickett.

The former Bureau Valley coach, who went 290-143 in 15 seasons and led the Storm to three straight third-place finishes at the Class A state tournament (2000-02), has taken the reins for the Rockets.

After a 2-year hiatus from coaching, Bickett – who owns a 356-209 career record in 20 seasons with Buda Western (4 years), Western Wyanet (1) and BV – has come back from his time away from the sideline with a renewed energy and vigor for the profession he was born for.