The Pike Liberal Arts Patriots and Lady Patriots enter their second year under head coach Jonny Mitchell and are seeking a playoff spot.

Mitchell said his teams are in better shape heading into the season than they were a year ago.

“I think we will enter this season much healthier than we were at this time last year,” he said flatly. “We struggled a lot with illness and injuries last year, especially at the start of the season. I think we are also a lot stronger and we are definitely more experienced than at the start of last season.

For the men’s team, Mitchell is counting on a large group of seniors to lead the way.

“We have a great senior class. Some of them didn’t play last year or were injured, but we need them to lead for us,” Mitchell said. “Sawyer Keck is a returning player, and Rhodes Baker is a returning player, which I think will be good for us. Jackson Mitchell is a returning junior who started. They are our returning starters and we have high expectations from them during the year.

Keck averaged 16.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, two steals and 1.3 assists per game last season, while Mitchell averaged 11.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, three assists and two interceptions per game.

While the boys are loaded with seniors, things are much different for the Lady Patriots.

“On the girls side, we only have three seniors,” Mitchell said. “Only one of them is a returning starter for us, Madison Shannon. Casidee Boone is a player we are looking to become a leader and Riley Burkett is a 10th grader who will play for us. After that we will have two freshmen starting for us, Shelly Stephens and Mary Holland Stephens.

Mary Holland Stephens led PLAS with 5.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and two steals per game last season as an eighth grader.

For both teams, Mitchell believes the playoffs are within their reach.

“The boys are a little older and experienced and we’re trying to compete for a playoff spot,” Mitchell said. “After only winning four games two years ago, we won 11 last year and I think we can continue to improve and have a chance to set a winning record and be able to make the playoffs.

“For the girls, we are still very young and we have a busy schedule. But I still feel like we can get double-digit wins and win our region to be able to compete for a chance at a playoff spot. Our goal is to reach the playoffs for both teams.

Pike Lib opens the season Nov. 21-23 in Luverne for a tournament, then competes in the Ariton tournament Nov. 25-27.