Basketball head coach Jackson Embry is in his fourth season at the helm of the Bulldogs. Last season his team finished 13-14 after losing to AmPo in Regionals.

Lost to graduation were Wyatt Webster, Bradey VanSchuyver, Logan Taylor and Casey Kane.

“Wyatt is a tough guy to replace and Bradey was a starter for us last year,” Embry said.

“But, overall, we are deeper than we ever have been and should be better than last year.”

Projected starters are Ben Fisher, Cameron Davis, Ty Kemp, Sloan Jackson and Jaxon Dill.

Embry said the strength of his team this year is his guard play. And, he’s excited to have Dill and Davis, two Vype Top 100 players.

“Jaxon is a good scorer and Cameron can pick someone up full court.”

Kemp, a senior, has hit a growth spurt and, according to his coach, has turned up his game this year.

“Ty is a guy that can play all five positions for us if we need him. He gives us good size on the floor,” Embry said.

Juniors Fisher and Jackson bring experience to the court for Wayne.

“Sloan is a good guard and a good defender. Ben is a guy that finds ways to make the offense go,” Embry said.

“We have a great group of leaders, on and off the court.”

Also back this year is senior Adolfo Vazquez, who hasn’t been healthy to play basketball since his freshman year.

“Adolfo will add experience and knowledge of my system. We’re happy to have him as another post player.”

The Bulldogs started their season hosting Pathways on Tuesday and then they will host Rush Springs on Friday.

“I don’t know much about Pathways, but we’re in a bigger conference with different size schools and that will be a good challenge for us.

“Our schedule will make us tougher as a team and as long as we can stay healthy, we’ll have a lot of success,” Embry said.

Girls

Wayne’s leading scorer from last year is back in sophomore Taelyn Ringwald. And senior guard Madilyn Sharp will continue to be stingy on defense for the Lady Bulldogs.

Rounding out the starting five are Audra Watts, Addison Keeler and Alyssa Hobson.

“Guard play is our strength. Those girls get downhill, are active in the passing lanes, get out and run in transition and shoot well,” Embry said.

Two seniors were lost to graduation from the Lady Bulldogs – Faith Brazell and Jordynn Debaets.

“Faith gave us leadership and experience at the post position and losing her has opened up the competition for this season.

“We have an abundance of post players, but I’m not sure who is going to step up, take that spot and run with it,” Embry said.

Keeler is filling that role to start the season. Fellow senior Brysten Shephard and sophomore Dakota Martin are also in the running.

“Developing that post player will be something that we’ll need to do make a run in the postseason.”

The Lady Bulldogs were set to host Pathways on Tuesday and Rush Springs will be in town on Friday.

According to Embry, in his second season with the Lady Bulldogs, their schedule sets them up for they playoffs.

“Our conference is tough. We’re the small dog in the fight but I know we’ll be battle-tested as the season goes on,” Embry said.

“I’m excited about this team. They’re young and they come in and work hard.

“Madilyn is a great leader. She’s a driving force, an energizer; as she goes, the rest of the team goes.

Last year the Lady Bulldogs finished the season 12-14 after being knocked out of Regionals by Waurika.