Still, first-year head coach Ty Gray is confident that this year’s team could excel.
“We’ve got a good core group coming back,” said Gray. “A reasonable goal would be to make it to the district tournament finals.”
Leading the Bulldogs for the third straight year figures to be guard Jordan Ernst, who, splitting time between point guard and shooting guard last year, registered 14 points, four rebounds and four assists per game.
This year, he plans to get teammates involved.
“My job will be to handle the ball, slash into the lane and get the ball to my teammates,” said Ernst. “We have good big guys down low, and we want to let them dominate.”
Leading Dove Creek’s post players is junior Spencer Gatlin, who, at 6-feet-3 and 260 pounds, can overpower smaller opponents. Last season, he averaged 12 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Also looking to contribute is junior Beau Hemphill, whose ability to stretch the floor with midrange jumpers could benefit Dove Creek.
“I try to lead by example and keep everyone working hard,” said Hemphill. “We have a lot of guys back this year, and I’m hoping we can play well.”
Gray said that this year’s Bulldogs team will run a motion offense and play man-to-man and zone defenses.
“We’re going to throw different looks at teams as much as can. We’re going to focus on rebounding and cut down on the second opportunities that (opponents) get,” said Gray.
The Bulldogs open the season at home against Newcomb on Dec. 4. Their first San Juan Basin game is home against Ouray on Jan. 10.