Portlaoise have been drawn in a difficult conference this season.
Portlaoise Panthers head coach Niall Berry is hopeful that his young squad can take the next step this season.
The Laois team have been drawn in the southern conference of division one alongside Team Kerry, St Pauls, Limerick Celtics and UL Eagles, Fr Mathews of Cork, Waterford IT and IT Carlow.
It's initially being adopted for one year but if successful, basketball Ireland could keep the system going forward.
Portlaoise finished with a 5-17 record last year but the average age of the side was just 18 and a half years old.
Berry says he's expected a stiff challenge in conference play:
Portlaoise Panthers Back In Super League Action This Weekend
Camross Name Tomas Burke As New Hurling Manager
Midlands Stars Set For European Cross Country Championships
Laois U20 Hurler And Footballer Of The Year Revealed
Camross Has Nothing To Lose This Weekend - Arien Delaney
Robbie Henshaw Named To Start For Leinster's Champions Cup Clash
Leinster Glory The Target For Tubberclair This Weekend
Portlaoise Panthers Aiming To End Losing Streak
Camross Getting Set For All Ireland Final
Westmeath Boxers Set To Compete At U17 European Championships
Portlaoise Panthers U20s Seal Semi-Final Place In National Cup
Midlands Beko Club Champions Recognised At Croke Park
CCFL: Four Teams Progress In Combined Counties Shield
Offaly Olympian Reveals Arsenal Dream
Buccaneers Claim First Home Win In Over Two Years
Pat Roe Steps Down As Portarlington Manager
St Michael's And Wheery To Meet In Offaly U20 Football Final
Athlone Town Confirm Two New Signings Ahead Of 2026 Season
Kelly Brady Named Personality of the Year
Former Irish Soccer Legend Backs Offaly Community After Arson Attack