The time has come once again for the 1A Brantley High School Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs to hit the basketball court, and coaches Andre Parks and Roland Jones are ready and waiting to see what this season brings them.

“Right now we’ve got only one senior on the team and that’s Trey Lowry. He did a really good job for us this summer, and we’re very pleased with him and what he did,” said Parks, BHS varsity boys’ coach.

“We had a slow start last season before Christmas and ended up winning the area championship game, which was big for us.”

Returning starters this year are sophomore Parker Driggers, junior Adrian Person and junior D’Andre Sinclair. Parks expects good things to come from these returning players, and hopes they are able to inspire and lead their fellow players throughout the season.

Parks also noted that sophomore Jake Kilcrease and senior Trey Lowry will also be beneficial players on the team.

As it is every season, Parks says the goal for the Bulldogs this year is to make it to regionals and bring home a victory.

The Bulldogs are in a five-team area, and in order to make it to regionals, they must finish in the top two of their area. Other schools in their area include Georgiana, McKenzie, Red Level and Highland Home School.

“The big thing I’ve been preaching and we’ve already seen some of is just getting some carryover from last year. Last season we started really slow, but I thought we started to come into our own and play better basketball after Christmas,” Parks said.

“I’m just hoping we can take some of the things that we started to do at the end of last season and have a little carryover into the start if this season. I think some of that is possible. We’re working hard and getting ready for this season.”

The BHS boys team will play their first game on Monday against New Brockton starting at 6 p.m. at home.

While the boys have not yet had the chance to hit the court, the Lady Bulldogs have already completed three games.

This year, all five starters are returning. While the team predominantly consists of younger players, seniors Aliyah  Person and Elizabeth Bush are sure to lead with confidence in the opinion of Jones, BHS varsity girls coach.

Other classifications on the team include one junior, six sophomores, one freshman and one eighth grader.

According to Jones, Kassidy Wilcox and Olivia Jones are two returning players who are hitting the court with high expectations this season.

Jones believes that much will come from having these girls return; last year sophomore Olivia Jones was the lead scorer for the team.

“We’re still really young, but Aliyah  Person and Elizabeth Bush are the backbone. They’ve been there the whole time,” Jones said.

“I think we’re getting better. We’re still really young and have a lot to learn, but they are getting better every day. We want to try to get one step farther than last year. Our region has five teams in it, which makes it more difficult. Our goal is to finish in the top two and to win the area so we can host the tournament.”

The Lady Bulldogs will play their next game on Monday, Nov. 28 at home against New Brockton.