Andalusia is a team in the making.

That’s what Bulldogs coach Richard Robertson said about his group of players, who enter the season with one starter from last year. That’s a stark contrast to a team who had more than a handful of seniors last season.

“Last year, we had six seniors on the team,” the coach said. “We were in the same position. We got off to a slow start, but we came together during the latter part of the season.”

The lone starter who helped Andalusia advance to the regional tournament last year was Sam Byrd, who averaged about 10 points per game.

“He was our third-highest scorer and second in rebounds,” Robertson said. “I’m counting on him for leadership.”

It’s not going to get any easier for AHS in Class 4A, Area 2. The young Bulldog team matches up with Hillcrest-Evergreen, Monroe County and Wilcox Central. Monroe County ended Andalusia’s hopes of advancing past the regional tournament last year, where the Bulldogs finished with a 19-14 record.

“It’s just like jumping out of the fire and into the frying pan,” Robertson said about the area change. “We’re now in the area with one team (Monroe County) who played in the championship in the region. Someone’s going to kill off each other.”

The main difference between this year’s and last year’s team is experience, Robertson said.

“I don’t know how we’re going to be,” he said. “We didn’t play any games this summer. I just went in there and worked and tried to assess where we are. If I had to play right now, and if I had to pick five players, that’s where I’m going to start.”

Andalusia is aiming to win any sort of championship, be it a regular season, area, sub-region, regional or state championship, Robertson said.

“Each team we have, we want them to win some type of championship,” he said. “We want something positive to happen for every group to come through here.”

Andalusia tips its season off Monday through Wednesday at the annual Enterprise Thanksgiving Tournament. Times will be announced when more information becomes available.