The recent on-field success of the Central High School football team has been a boon for the Tigers and their fans.

Which is great if your name is Nathan Norman and you're the head football coach.

Not so much if your name is Drew Church and you're the head basketball coach.

Because while the Central football team continues playing deep into the postseason for the second straight season, the athletes who play both sports have been focused on playing in the state playoffs.

But don't get Church wrong. He welcomes the success the football team brings the school and the city, and hopes that success on the gridiron breeds success on the basketball court.

"It's kind of a challenge," Church said after the team was forced to cancel its season-opening jamboree this past weekend. "It's tough to know exactly what to implement."

Eight players Church is counting on to contribute significant floor minutes this season have yet to partake in basketball drills as the football season winds down. It's something Church and the Tigers are getting used to.

"The toughest part is the month of practices you miss to develop toughness," he said. "Making them understand the toughness it takes to play the game right. They'll be coming back and going into playing games right away. They don't get that month to practice."

But Church wouldn't have it any other way.

"A lot of our kids play multiple sports, and we encourage that," he said. "They're still competing. ... Success breeds success, and the football team's success is great for our school."

When his roster does fill out, Church will welcome a group that may lack the physical inside presence the Tigers have enjoyed the past few years but is probably more athletic overall.

"We have a lot of good athletes," he said. "Our quickness is good. It'll be a bit of a change. We'll run more up and down that we did in the past. In past years, we've had some good big (players inside). But now we'll try to push the tempo more and get more points off transition than in the past. We'll be more guard-oriented than we were in the past."

Players to watch

Senior guard Al Young, the team's leading scorer from last year's team that finished 20-7, is back and the Tigers will center their attack around his all-around game. Young averaged nearly 19 points per game a year ago and will team with junior point guard Kway'Chon Chisom, another returning starter who nearly averaged double figures in scoring last season, and senior Kaleb Ward to give the Tigers an experienced backcourt.

Inside, the Tigers hope 6-foot-8 senior center Garrett Jackson continues his development. He'll be the biggest key in replacing 6-6 Andre Statam, who graduated last year and is now playing collegiately for Jacksonville State. Jackson gives the Tigers height inside that few teams will be able to match.

"He has a good touch around the basket," Church said.

Central will also look to several young players who contributed last season to continue their development as well. Included in that lot are senior Tevyn Wright-Hunt, junior Blake Harris and sophomore Austin Parker, whose 6-5 frame will be a welcome addition inside.

"He's very athletic," Church said of Parker. "He's one of the most athletic kids to come through here."

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Class 4 District 1

Conference

SEMO Conference

Head coach

Drew Church

(10th year)

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ROSTER

Player Year Ht.

Garrett Jackson 12 6-8

Kaleb Ward 12 5-8

Tevyn Wright-Hunt 12 5-10

Al Young 12 6-0

Kway'Chon Chisom 11 5-10

Blake Harris 11 6-1

Zyshon Mallory 11 6-2

Jawone Newell 11 5-9

Aubrey Carter 10 5-9

Aaron Harris 10 6-1

Austin Parker 10 6-5

STARTERS GONE

Andre Statam

Chase Hagerty

Peyton Montgomery

STARTERS BACK

Al Young

Kway'Chon Chisom

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SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

11/30 Lutheran South Round Robin

12/7 SEMO Conference Tourn.

12/18 Farmington 7:30 p.m.

12/26 SEMissourian Xmas Tourn.

1/7 @Scott City 7:30 p.m.

1/9 Tiger Shootout

1/15 @New Madrid 7:30 p.m.

1/19 Saxony Lutheran 7:30 p.m.

1/20 West County 7:30 p.m.

1/22 Carnahan 7:30 p.m.

1/26 @Perryville 7:30 p.m.

1/29 @Poplar Bluff 7:30 p.m.

2/2 @Notre Dame 7:30 p.m.

2/5 Kennett 7:30 p.m.

2/9 Jackson 7:30 p.m.

2/12 Sikeston 7:30 p.m.

2/16 @Charleston 7:30 p.m.

2/23 @Potosi 7:30 p.m.

2/26 @Dexter 7:30 p.m.

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LAST SEASON

LEADERS

Points: Al Young (18.4 ppg)

Rebounds: Andre Statam (12.7 rpg)

RECORD

20-7