The Red Level Lady Tigers will rely heavily on young talent, and they have worked hard preparing for the 2016-2017 AHSAA basketball season.

“We are going to be a very young team this year,” Lady Tigers’ head coach Allen Catrett said. “Even though we are young, we only lost two seniors from last year’s team, and everyone else is returning.”

Catrett said that this year’s Lady Tigers will make up of one senior, three sophomores, two freshman and two eighth graders. Haley White is only senior for the Lady Tigers.

“They are young, but these girls have been playing for me for a little while and they are familiar with what we want to do,” Catrett said. “We will tweak some things to fit personal, but for the most part we are going to continue to do what we have always done.”

As for the season, Catrett said he just wants the girls to show up ready to improve each day.

“The way I kind of look it is, I have seven girls that are going to be able to play together for the next three years,” Catrett said. “Just like with the boys’ team, the girls have to work on getting better every time they are in the gym. We want to be competitive this year, but we are also preparing for the future.”

The Lady Tigers’ edge this season will come from their speed, Catrett said.

“I think the one thing with this group is we are a little bit faster than we have been in the past,” Catrett said. “Our speed and defense will be out strong point, and it’s something we are going to have to lean on. Pretty much, defense is going to dictate how our games go.”

Catrett said the Lady Tigers are ready to get the season started.

“The girls are excited to play,” Catrett said. “We are still implementing some things and we have few things to polish up before the (Nov.) 15th.”

The Lady Tigers start their season with a home contest against the Pleasant Home Lady Eagles on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Tip off for the game will be at 5:30 p.m., at Red Level High School.