By By Adam Robinson
sports editor
In the three previous boys basketball season at W.S. Neal High School, the teams had only five wins total.
Last season, the boys team saw their win total triple as they posted their first 10-win season in years as they finished 15-12 under first year and former W.S. Neal head coach Blaine Hathcock.
With the departure of Hathcock, W.S. Neal welcomes its third coach in as many seasons with Chuck Phillips taking the helm for the Eagles.
While Phillips may be in his first season as head coach for the Eagles, his roster of players shows 11 players.
Of the 11 players, eight are seniors, one a junior, and two sophomores.
While this may be his first season coaching basketball on the varsity level, Phillips is no stranger to the game.
Phillips said he has not coached basketball in a couple years, but he is really excited.
Phillips said he expects the team this season to do well as they have a lot of experience.
As far as individuals, Phillips said he knows of about three starters that are back off of last year’s team, the first being Bob Elliott.
Another returning starter for the Eagles will be Jeremy Alexander.
Sam Ewing is another returning player for the Eagles this season. Phillips said Ewing was a part-time starter last season.
Rashad Crook is the fourth straight senior for the Eagles this season.
Also down low for the Eagles this season is senior Colby McCorvey. McCorvey was on the B-team last year and is a tremendous athlete according to Phillips.
Another guy off the B-team last year is Tra Dixon.
Ashton Elliott, a sophomore, was also on the B-team last year and Phillips said he has a lot of ability.
Another player off the B-team last year was T.J. Davis.
Monterrius Culliver, the lone junior on the team, was also on the B-team last year and Phillips said his strength is his speed.
Tyrone Dees and Jeremy Nicholson are the last two seniors for the Eagles this season.
W.S. Neal will kick off their 2009-2010 season Tuesday at home with a 4:30 p.m. tip against Excel.
The rest of the schedule is as followed: