TOLONO  Standing in the middle of the Rocket Center, it''s easy to forget you''re inside a junior high gymnasium. The new home for Unity''s basketball teams is within crawling distance from the old barn that could squeeze in almost 1,000 fans on a good night. The new 2,100-seat venue filled with retractable bleachers and that new gym smell is one of the finest Class A facilities in the area, joining Judah Christian and St. Thomas More, which opened their doors to new gyms within recent years. It comes just in time for the Unity boys'' quest for another run at a state title. The Rockets finished fourth last year and are deep enough to go deeper this season. Think of the new gym as that reward for a great season  and a doorway to even better days ahead. "I think everything is big at this point in our season right now," Unity coach Lance Freeman said. "There are a lot of big expectations, and the big gym, obviously. It''s taking all that stuff in stride and trying to keep the kids focused, and myself focused, and what our agenda is throughout the year." The shiny, new gym is a symbol of how serious basketball is in Tolono and its surrounding Unity communities. But during a season loaded with on-court expectations, the challenge to become accustomed to their new surroundings is another obstacle the Rockets must face. Sure, the crowd will be on their side, and the size of the building might intimidate opponents who come dribbling in, but it won''t be easy for the Rockets. "It''s a different surrounding," Unity senior Andy Eisenmenger said. "You''re still getting used to it. We still have problems shooting here, but I think we''ll get used to it." Shooting is just the beginning. The Rockets are finding that the rims are stiffer than at the old place. The larger building also changes the depth perception on shots. The backdrops are different, and even with the bleachers pulled out to the sidelines and loaded with people, it still doesn''t offer the same intimacy of the house that Brian Cardinal built. The Rockets must learn to use the place to their advantage. Eisenmenger has found out he''s missing shots at the back of the rim instead of the front like in the past. He''s still trying to find the depth of his shot. "I hope I get used to it," Eisenmenger said. "I''m still having trouble shooting. Not that I''m a great shooter. But I''ll try." Even Freeman finds he is on a different practice routine because of the added amount of hoops to work with. "It''s going from apples to oranges," said Freeman, who admits when his team first tried out the new digs during summer open gyms, the consensus wasn''t that positive and that "It wasn''t home." "The walls are set up differently, the depth perception is totally different," Freeman said. "There''s getting accustomed to how to run a practice. You''ve got six baskets (at the old gym) and 10 baskets here. You can do all sorts of stuff." The Rockets don''t believe getting used to their new home will be a burden like Memorial Stadium has been to that pro football team from the north. Unity beat rival St. Joseph-Ogden in its home opener last week, and it turned out well. Familiarity comes with practice and games, though Unity has only eight regular season home games and none until Jan. 7. The Rockets will, however, host a sectional, not a bad way to ring in a new era of Unity basketball than with a postseason gala. The team hasn''t backed down from many challenges. Last year, Unity faced a tough schedule and almost won 20 regular season games. Then the Rockets shunned the underdog tag in the super-sectional and quarterfinals to pick up some state hardware. Getting used to a gym is another challenge they''ll take head on. "The fans are still the same; they are going to be here," senior guard Brian Mohr said. "It will be the same. "I try to concentrate on my shot; not what''s behind it. It hasn''t been a problem. I don''t think it will." The Rockets are grateful for the chance to play in a fancy hall and hope their inaugural season will be filled with lasting memories of good times. Right now, the walls are empty, but soon banners of past accomplishments will be hung, and a mural will be painted behind one of the baskets, giving it that homey feel. Meantime, Unity is 1-0 and counting. "As the year goes on, that will give us more time to get used to it," Freeman said. "I told them, ''Give it some time.'' This is our new home. To win that first game and play well is a nice way to get it started."