Juniors

Expectations for him are high, as he will facilitate the offense. Sainer’s effort and intensity make it tough to take him off the floor.

Buzzard is another sophomore who played last year. He’s battled injuries, but Cawhorn expects him to be ready to go and contribute right away.

There are eight returning juniors in guards Cade Tucker, Jace Mendenhall, Hunter Pack and Coy Blackburn; forwards Lee, Isaac Rogers and Devon Baggs; and guard/forward Connor Walters.

Lee is a returning starter, and he had a great summer, becoming more of a threat offensively as the summer progressed. His work ethic, coupled with his defensive intensity, makes him a major contributor carrying high expectations.

Baggs played some minutes last year as a sophomore, when he added instant offense for the Tigers and provided crucial scoring in spurts when needed.

Mendenhall is another returning starter and leading scorer. Mendenhall worked hard all preseason shooting the basketball and attacking the basket. He’s expected to have a good junior season.

Finally, Tucker has starting experience for Central. He is capable of running the offense from the point or moving over to either guard position. Tucker plays hard defensively, and a lot is expected of him.

Seniors

There are no seniors this year, so the burden falls on the juniors to lead the team.

The Tigers look primed and ready to best last season’s record as the new head coach takes this year’s squad into the 2022–23 season, with the first game slated Dec. 2 at Warner with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.

“To us, all our games are big,” Cawhorn says. “The way our conference is laid out, there is none you can point to and say you can play badly. You have to play well every night, and even then, you could still get beat. That’s how good it is.”