Eagles open on road against Del Rio

By LANCE FLEMING / Staff Writer

DEL RIO - The Abilene Eagles open a new era tonight when they take on Del Rio in the boys basketball season opener at the Del Rio Shootout.

Instead of Gerald Coppedge roaming the bench as he did from 1984 until last season, it will be Jeff Evans, who comes to Abilene High after being an assistant at Lubbock Coronado.

Evans inherits a team that went 4-23 last season, Abilene High's worst record in years. It also missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

However, Evans doesn't believe he's undertaking a rebuilding project.

"Most people might look at it in that way, but I don't and I don't think the kids are," Evans said. "The No. 1 thing we have to do is go out and compete and play hard for 32 minutes every night. The kids we have can compete with good teams. Our non-district schedule is murderous (games against Coronado, Sweetwater and Hobbs, N.M.), but the important thing is that if we take hits we stay up and go right back at it."

Evans just got four players from football on Monday, and those players are trying to work themselves into basketball shape.

John Lackey (6-5 senior post), Odis Dalton (6-3 junior forward), Henry Willis and Tamaki Shepard should provide some help. Lackey and Dalton will especially help inside where the Eagles are short on height.

The starters for tonight's game will be Eric Phelps (6-0 senior) at point guard, Ryan Cavazos (6-0 senior) and Kris Brown (6-2 senior) on the wings, Benji Polnick (6-2 senior) at high post and Brian Bammel (6-2 senior) at low post.

Abilene High will also play Victoria at 11 a.m. Saturday in Del Rio. Also participating in the shootout are Midland High, Midland Lee, Eagle Pass and Laredo Cigarroa.

Abilene High's first home game will be Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. against Lubbock Coronado.