But after last season’s struggles, the Volcanoes’ owner figured it was the ideal strategy to build a winning team.

Vancouver struggled with chemistry issues throughout last season. Constant player turnover put more than 30 different names on the Volcanoes’ roster — some more committed to the team than others. Teammates often did not mesh together on the court, and the problems helped produce a disappointing 6-17 season.

So to correct those chemistry issues, Hunter took an approach few team owners would dare consider: He allowed the Volcanoes’ core group of four players assemble this year’s team. And the result is a 12-3 record that has thrust Vancouver into contention for the league championship.

“I truly believe that players that want to win and play together are going to win games more than if you bring in all these guys from overseas (teams) that all want to go try to get their points,” Hunter said. “The players, what they get to do is they get to spend time with people. ... They’ve played with them long enough to know, ‘Hey, this guy’s lazy on defense.’ They see what has happened throughout their lives and what they’re made of.”

And that can give the players a scouting advantage over coaches and owners, Hunter said. While tryouts and practices can give team officials a chance to examine a player’s talent on the court, the other players have a better feel for how they will mesh together in a game or get along off the court.

Years spent playing together or against each other give teammates a sense for other players’ level of commitment, whether they are selfless or selfish on the court, and whether they are committed to winning or simply showcasing themselves for a move up.

So when Hunter chose his core group around which to build — guards Porter Troupe, Kevin Bloodsaw, Brad Lechtenberg and forward Gary Muzzy — he also offered them the responsibility of assembling this year’s team. Hunter only specified two loose requirements: They needed to find an outstanding point guard and a strong frontcourt player. But beyond that framework, the players were in charge of recruiting and determining the team’s makeup.

It was a risky decision. The players acknowledged that so much control could open the door to an exchange of favors and filling the team with players’ buddies. But the Volcanoes’ core group — motivated to win after struggling through past seasons — had their focus on building strong chemistry by bringing in selfless players.

“It’s all about chemistry,” Bloodsaw said. “A lot of times in basketball, it’s not always the most talented team. It’s the team that plays together the best that’s gonna usually come up with the wins. So we were looking for the right chemistry.”

And what the players assembled was a team that was balanced and willing to play off each other’s strengths. They had their offensive weapon in Troupe (23.7 ppg), and added one of the league’s top point guards in Kevin Tyner (7.6 assists). Muzzy’s 10.5-rebound average ranks among the league’s leaders, and newly acquired forward Jake Carlisle added a strong frontcourt presence on both ends of the court.

No one player tried to grab the spotlight, players said. Nobody looked to showcase themselves in hopes of grabbing a scout’s attention. In fact, the Volcanoes won so frequently — including a 10-game winning streak — that nobody had to worry about seeking attention.

“We play so well together that everybody is going to be showcased,” Troupe said. “Winning games is going to showcase you. People are going to come and check you out and say, ‘Why are they winning?’”

And those peers who once told Hunter he was nuts for giving his players so much control? Hunter said they now admit their mistake after seeing Vancouver double its win total over last season while recording the most victories in the IBL this season.

“They understand now,” Hunter said. “They realize that maybe this does work.”