Having five seniors is already proving to be an asset for the Blair Oaks Falcons.
When Helias scored the first 13 points of a scrimmage Nov. 18, it was the experienced players speaking up during a timeout.
"They're hungry. I saw some good leadership out of those guys when Helias got up on us big early," Falcons coach Ryan Fick said. "We called that timeout and it was the seniors doing a lot of talking and leading in the huddle."
Guards Dylan Skinner, Thomas Verslues and Ben Ward, along with forwards Jason Rackers and Clayton Backes are the five seniors for Blair Oaks.
The Falcons have a number of guards who have shown they can handle the ball and shoot from long range, so competition for playing time has also been an asset ahead of tonight's season-opener against Versailles in the Eugene Tournament. Game time is 6 p.m.
"Point guard position, we're running a few different guys through that to see what the best combination is," Fick said. "That's something that's evolving and hopefully we'll have worked out by the first game. But even several games into the season that's going to be something that we'll be working on."
Trent Martin, a junior, is among the guards that enter the season as a threat from deep.
"Trent did a good job as a sophomore coming off the bench and he has the ability to knock down some shots," Fick said.
Fick said Verslues has shown improvement with his shot.
"He's another senior who's put in a lot of work in the offseason and has really become pretty deadly behind the arc," Fick said. " His release is a lot quicker as a senior and he's gotten a little bit stronger."
Fick noted having the 6-foot-6 Rackers inside will help the shooters find open space.
"With Jason in the middle, we've got some guys on the perimeter that can knock down shots," Fick said. "Jason does such a good job at seeing the floor, he's going to draw a lot of doubles this year. Guards are going to double down on him and he does such a good job at finding the open guy."
Justin Cobb, a 6-foot-2 junior, will also get time in the post.
"Real strong. He's a guy that will do anything the coaching staff asks," Fick said. "He's a guy that likes to go out and play solid defense and rebound and set screens."
Fick said he's excited about having a group of players with the threat to score inside and outside.
"Teams are going to have to decide how they are going to guard us," he said. "When you're multidimensional and you can shoot the ball a little bit, that's obviously an asset."
But there's still questions of how much time on the floor some players will get and what spots they feel most comfortable at.
"We've got some guys that we've had to adjust positions a little bit," Fick said. "You really don't get a good idea of how they're going to respond until you get them into (a game-type) of atmosphere. We'll watch some film and kind of evaluate where everybody is."
Blair Oaks is coming off a 19-9 season that ended with a loss to Fatima in the district championship game.
The Falcons will welcome defending Class 3 champion Father Tolton, Hermann, South Callaway and Southern Boone into their district this season. Three of those four won at least 17 games last season.
Fatima, St. James and Dixon remain in the district, which the Falcons will host.
"It's a tough district," Fick said. " It's going to be a fun atmosphere."
The Falcons will play their first six games of the season away from Wardsville. Their home opener will be Dec. 16 against Hickman.