The Red Level Tigers will rely heavily on underclassmen heading in the 2016-2017 AHSAA basketball season.

“We are going to be very young this year,” Tigers’ head coach Allen Catrett said. “Last year, I graduated six seniors, and I’ve only got one player (Ontaryo Nearor) coming back that has any varsity experience.”

Catrett said that his squad consist of one senior, one junior and the rest will be underclassmen.

“Even though we are young, I expect pretty much the same thing from them as I do every year,” Catrett said. “We have to come in working towards getting better each day, and peak at the end of the season.”

With the young team, Catrett said that things won’t always be easy.

“Anytime you are dealing with younger players, there are going to be growing pains,” Catrett said. “Most of the guys moved up from junior varsity, so they have played for me and they know what to expect. It won’t be like we are putting in a brand new system. It’s basically what they have been doing for the past few years, but just a little more in-depth.”

Catrett said that the short time they have been practicing that he has liked what he has seen.

“So far, we have had some really good practices,” Catrett said. “The guys have done a really good job paying attention to the small details, and that is something that is going to help them as the season goes along. Ontaryo has a lot of experience coming back for us, and he has done a great job stepping into a leadership role.

Red Level begins the season at home with a varsity contest at home against Pleasant Home on Nov. 15.