By: Dustin Kent - NewsHerald.com 

After riding a veteran-laden team to the top of the Panhandle Conference standings and eventually the national tournament last season, the Chipola Indians will start the new year Friday with a virtually brand-new team.

The Indians – who went 26-6 overall and 8-4 in the Panhandle Conference last year and shared the league title with Pensacola State – return just one player from that group in 6-foot-6 sophomore Ty Baker, saying goodbye to a star-studded group that led by All-American guard and Connecticut-signee Sam Cassell, Jr.

Division-I signees Carlos Morris (Minnesota), Cinmeon Bowers (Auburn), and Demetrious Floyd (Stephen F. Austin) also depart after combining with Cassell, Jr. to account for 56.9 points and 20 rebounds per game.

Chipola lost 96 percent of its scoring overall, with Baker returning after averaging 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds.

 Despite the massive roster turnover, third-year coach Patrick Blake said Monday he's 'excited' about his new batch of Indians led by 7-foot redshirt center and Clemson commit Legend Robertin, as well as a talented trio of transfers in guards Tra-Deon Hollins, KJ Scott, and forward Dejuan Marrero.

"I really like this group we have. It's a fun group to coach. It just that, unfortunately, there's a lot to be learned," the coach said. "We've got to get a lot better in a hurry. Right now, we're doing everything we can to get these 10 new guys on the same page to be able to compete in the state. But I like our size, length, and athleticism."

The India ns will also lean on a pair of talented freshman forwards in super-athletic 6-foot-7 Junior Saintel and physical 6-foot-7 power forward Greg King, who will try to fill some of the void on the interior left by Bowers.

Blake said that this group will have to play differently than last year's, relying less on individual offensive skill and more on depth, quickness, and defensive playmaking.

"We're not as talented offensively, so we'll have to create a lot of points on defense with turnovers and doing a really good job on the offensive glass," he said. "We have nowhere near the talent 1-through-5 that we had last year, but 1-through-10 we have quality depth and guys that are willing to sacrifice points for a team goal and do what it takes to win. It will have to be a team effort because there's not just one guy that we can really rely on."

Chipola opens the season at home Friday against Atlanta Metro at 7:30pm in the Milton Johnson Center.