THOMASVILLE — Thomasville’s boys’ basketball season doesn’t officially start until Dec. 1. The hype has already begun, however.

Last year, the Bulldogs won Region 1-AA behind a young team led by freshmen post players Robert Carter and Willie Clayton. Clayton was named the region player of the year after averaging 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Teamed with Carter, the duo will be contributors if the Bulldogs look to improve upon their 23-5 mark.

“They’ve been looking pretty good,” Thomasville coach Ben Tillman said. “They’re sophomores and still have a long way to go. I think they're ready for the task this year.”

The two post players are part of an experienced unit that returns all five starters. The other starters include wing players Fred Holton and Seandarius Coleman. Thomasville also returns starting point guard Charles Hayes, although he is on crutches right now after suffering a high ankle sprain in football. Coming off the bench will be sophomore Trey Gosier. He should be a valuable weapon from behind the 3-point arc.

“He’s always been able to shoot. He had that ability when he was in middle school,” Tillman said. “We’re trying to teach him how to be a true point guard. He did an excellent job this summer.”

While experience will be key in Thomasville’s run toward the state playoffs — it was eliminated last year in the second round — that is not its biggest strength. According to Tillman, this year’s Bulldogs have developed a strong bond.

“I think our biggest strength is the close-knit (group) that we have. All our kids like each other,” Tillman said. “I think that’s our biggest strength, that they get along, that they respect one another.

“I think that’s our strongest strength, being able to play together as a unit.”

Thomasville’s bond will be tested early. The team’s first four games are in region play, beginning at home at Mitchell County. That is followed by games with Cook, Early County and Albany.

“(The region’s) going to be just like it was last year. I think our region is really deep when it comes down to competition,” Tillman said. “We’ve just got to understand that we need to come out and play our game, and we're going to play one game at a time like we did last year, and one practice at a time.

“We coined the phrase, “Courage under fire. This year we have a mixture of some seasoned guys along with some young talent. Hopefully, we can win more ball games than we won last year.”

Like the boys, the Lady Bulldogs return all five starters from last year’s squad. First-year head coach Thomas McAboy inherits a guard-oriented team, led by juniors Kierrica Spencer and reigning Times-Enterprise Player of the Year Carmenonique Dawson, who averaged a team-high 19 points and five assists last season. Thomasville’s other returning starters include Vanisia Brown, Audreka Davis and Maya Taylor.

“We’re definitely loaded with speed, but we’re trying to find someone to come in and step up in the post,” McAboy said. “We’ve thrown a lot of that responsibility on Maya to come in and be a presence in the post. I feel the game is played inside-out. Having a post presence would definitely make us better.”

With an experienced team, the Lady Bulldogs appear poised to improve upon their 15-10 mark.

“I think they’ve set the bar high, but I’ve just tried to set a high expectation for work ethic. Hopefully, that’ll carry over on the court,” McAboy said.

“We’ve been lifting weights since March. We’re definitely stronger. They’ve been committed to doing that. They’ve enjoyed lifting.

“We’ve been conditioning. They’ve put a lot of work in. They’ve invested a lot of time. I think they’re pretty much geared up to the reap the benefits from it.”