The Tuckerman Bulldogs finished 18-16 last season and fell in the first round of the regional tournament to eventual state champion Manila . The Bulldogs return four starters and six of their top seven from a year ago , and Coach Josh Longino and company are looking to improve on that record and make a deeper run in the postseason . All-state and all-conference junior Amare Neal returns at point guard for the Bulldogs . The two-year starter has the ability to control the game and create shots for himself and others . Neal averaged 14 points , five rebounds , and six assists last year and is considered the team ’ s best defender . Senior All-Conference guard Waylon Tackett returns after averaging 14 points , three rebounds , and three assists last season . Tacket is the team ’ s best outside shooter and can score at all three levels . Junior Eli Tackett also returns after an all-conference sophomore season averaging 15 points , five rebounds , and three assists . He is a slasher that can finish around the rim but also step out and shoot the three . Tackett is a good rebounding guard and can push the ball in transition . Senior Elijah Alcorn is the fourth returning starter for Tuckerman . Alcorn averaged five points and six rebounds last season and is one of the more athletic players on the roster . He can score at the rim , hit the three-point shot , and rebound the ball . Fellow senior Elias Reed is one of the hardest workers on the team and is very physical . Reed is hoping to expand his role by improving his outside shooting , scoring at the rim , and being a good defender . Junior Braelyn Odom is an athletic slasher that can stretch the floor from three , and provide rebounding for the Dogs . Sophomore Hayden Reed is looking to make an impact and provide depth for Tuckerman . Reed is a bigger body that can score around the rim and rebound the ball . Rebounding is a concern for Coach Longino with his team ’ s lack of size . With no one taller than 6 ’ 1 , Longino hopes to utilize Tuckerman ’ s speed , quickness , and outside shooting to combat that . The 3A-2 will be tough as usual , but look for the Tuckerman Bulldogs to be in the hunt for a conference title , then make a deep run in the postseason .
The Tuckerman Lady Bulldogs are looking at a new team than in the past but are not afraid to take that as a challenge . Tuckerman lost four starters that the program revolved around . With only one returning starter in Katie Clark ( senior guard ), she will have to be consistent every night . Clark is a three-point shooter that the Lady Bulldogs need every night . Other players are Carley Boyd ( senior forward ) who has a good outside touch as a big . Tiara Bailey ( senior forward ) will bring quickness to the team . Gracie Smith ( senior guard ) who has played several minutes in the past and will use her toughness to get the Lady Bulldogs going . Emily Gates ( sophomore center ) will give her team put backs that they will need in big games . Gates is a big post who has the ability to score easily . Emeri Baughn ( sophomore forward ) can get to the rim very well which the Lady Bulldogs will use in their offense . August Huckabee ( sophomore guard ) will use her quickness to make defense turn to offense . Coach Soden says “ It will be a lot different than years past . Lost two , four-year starters and two , two-year starters . No juniors on the team . We will look for consistent scoring from our older kids and production from the sophomore class as well .” With many bigs on the team , they will look to use that to get easy points . Quickness could be a weakness but with easy offense they hope that won ’ t be a problem . A main point to be successful will be to stay out of foul trouble . Soden needs each kid to have quality minutes each night . With a lack of depth , injuries could cause major setbacks , so keeping everyone healthy will be a huge goal . Soden says “ Keys for this year will be our guard play , can we consistently score with other teams and take care of the ball .” The Lady Bulldogs look to make the most of their offense to take care of the other end . The Lady Bulldogs are looking to compete in the 3A-2 ( 8-4 ) where they came in fourth and ended the season with a record of 23-12 .