The White County Warriors boys basketball team is ready to turn the page and build some new tempo.
Head Coach Eric Mitchell said this year’s squad has the depth, energy, and toughness to get back to the style of basketball that once made White County famous.
“We’d like to get back to the faster paced game that we used to play,” Mitchell said. “We’ve had to slow it down with some teams here in the past couple of years, but this group is relentless, they don’t quit, and they’re really good kids.”
The Warriors finished 12-16 overall and 5-5 in their district last season. The Warriors battled in the district, having most of their games in January and February decided by fewer than ten points.
This season, Mitchell said he is counting on a mix of experience and new faces to spark the turnaround. White County welcomes several new players to the program, including a transfer from DeKalb County. White County will also welcome seniors Lucas Smith and Mason Steele, who return after missing all of last season due to injuries.
“We’re leaning on them pretty heavily,” Mitchell said. “We’ve all been to the state many times and it’s a tough league.”
Mitchell said the return of Smith and Steele, combined with two starters currently on the Warriors’ football team, should give his team the boost it needs to play at a higher tempo. Mitchell said he is also working on installing new offensive sets designed to get his guards in space and push the pace.
“It’s not fun when you go get beat 25 points,” Mitchell said. “These kids can do it and we just need to get them all healthy on the court come January when we start district play.”
White County has hovered around the .500 mark each of the last two seasons. Mitchell said he believes the blend of senior leadership and youthful energy could be the key to breaking through this season.
