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EAST PRAIRIE -- East Prairie head coach Casey Knight is hoping the inexperience they suffered through last season turns his Eagles into a veteran team.
Last season East Prairie started four sophomores during their 3-18 campaign while seven total sophomores so significant playing time. Damion Tipler was the only upper classman as he leads this year's bunch into another year.
"The talent has been there, just last year we had to overcome that youth," Knight said. "In my career of coaching I've always had a freshman or a sophomore play up, but not four of my starting five. We were basically a jayvee team."
Tipler (6-5) led the Eagles in almost every statistical category last season. The Class 3, District 1 all-district selection recorded two triple-doubles and was their main option of attack.
"Every year he's improved," Knight said about Tipler. "He's become more aggressive and has taken on the role more of this is his team. We've always fed him the ball but he's demanding the ball more inside and his outside game has improved too."
Another area where Knight hopes to see improvement is guard play.
Point guard Seth Bays, Seth Johnson and Dustin Bryar are expected to take on backcourt duties. Mac Marcum is expected to round out the starting five for East Prairie as their defensive catalyst.
"He's a guy that can easily average 15 points a game," Knight said about Bays. "The other two are guys that can knock down some shots for us. We've improved just by being a year older and we've improved our talent. I'm definitely excited that we return all of our starters.
"We'll definitely try to get in double-figure wins this year."