The Escambia Academy Cougars are looking to erase the bad memory of falling in the region tournament last season after finishing undefeated in the regular season.

The Cougars bring back several key players from last year’s impressive run and are looking to improve on that success.

With just three weeks until the season begins with a tournament at Sparta Academy in Evergreen, the Cougars are practicing, but are not yet at full strength due to the football team being in the playoffs.

Despite the low numbers causing it hard to measure the growth of the team, the work has still been put to good use since the start of practice on Oct. 12, Cougars head basketball coach Kevin Woods said.

“Things have been going fine,” he said. “I don’t have the entire team to judge yet with several of our players still playing football due to playoffs. Our guys that have been at practice have been working hard though.”

The tremendous success of the players from last season’s 18-1 season could be duplicated with a bulk of returners looking to make an impact this season.

The return of important players should play a role in the season, Woods said.

“On our varsity squad, we have a majority of our core players returning,” he said. “We have players such as Darron McGhee, Brandon Goddard, Jaylen Henry, Wesley Steadham and Jordan Sasser coming back, which will be strong for our team.”

Returning several starters and impact players presents a chance for a deep run for the Cougars.

The experience each has in Woods’ system gives the Cougars a chance to have a strong season, Woods said.

“I think we’ll have a good team” he said. “We are all expecting good things for this season.”

The Cougars will open the season with a tournament at Sparta Academy in Evergeen. Their opponent is to be determined.