CARDWELL — Three regional high school boys basketball programs opened the 2023-24 season with a jamboree at Southland High School Tuesday.

Cooter is fresh off a season that ended in controversy during a March 3 Class 2 state quarterfinal game versus Principia, losing in overtime 46-43 at Farmington High School.

But the slate has been wiped clean, and that’s the best part of a beginning a new season.

Southland�s Elijah Finkbeiner (11) attempts a scoop shot during a scrimmage versus Cooter in Cardwell dated Tuesday, Nov. 14.(Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Southland was 6-19 a season ago under former head coach Steve Richey, who has since moved on to a job in Marmaduke, Ark.

Naylor, coached by Logan Foster, was 7-19 a season ago — falling to Delta C-7 in the second round of the Class 1 District 1 Tournament.

This marked the first formal event for Southland under first-year head coach Tyre Washington, who most recently coached at Ridgefield Christian Academy in Arkansas.

“We were thrilled to host this jamboree,” Washington said. “Cooter and Naylor have very good squads, and it was a test for us.”

Washington said Cooter is a challenge because the Wildcats always are well-conditioned, and play with a fast tempo on offense. Cooter’s also not bashful attempting 3-point shots.

“Naylor played some in your face man-to-man defense, and they ran their sets very wall,” Washington added.

For Washington, the jamboree setting allows him to adjust concepts such as rotations while playing man-to-man defense.

“(Last night) showed us that we still have a lot of work to do,” the coach commented. “But, we should be able to compete in the Tri-County Conference. We love this time of year.”

Cooter head coach David Mathis was complimentary of everyone.

“I thought everyone played hard, on all the teams,” Mathis said. “It was nice to see someone else. I thought we played very hard, and had good minutes from everyone.”

The buzzword for the Wildcats this season is to play competitively.

“Maybe we win, or maybe we lose,” Mathis said. “We just want to compete.”

Mathis said the Wildcats could have rebounded better, and maybe taken a couple of charges while opponents were on the fastbreak. He was satisfied with the Wildcats’ shot selection.

Naylor has a game scheduled versus Maynard on Friday, while Cooter plays at Marquand-Zion. The Wildcats also are scheduled to play in the Bulldog Classic at Gideon at the end of November.

The Eagles will rely on seniors Percy White, Jackson Leroux and Rodrigous McCoy for leadership this coming season.

Southland begins the season on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at Tri-County Conference rival Clarkton. The Rebels follow that with a game against Cooter on Dec. 6.