The Gore Pirates were 16-5 a season ago and made it to the Class A Regional Tournament before seeing their postseason run end with back-to-back nail-biting losses — 62-61 to Liberty and 46-42 to Wright City.
The Pirates return several players from that team, but only two of them are seniors — guards Journey Shells and Bryson Thouvenel.
Juniors back for coach T.W. Estes are guards Bryon McDuffie and Nash Thouvenel to go with forwards Ayden Cox and Luis Schyktanz.
Sophomores back for the Pirates are guards Cain Cooper, Tate Brooksher and Burr James to go with forwards Logan Markou and Gabe Hefley.
Four freshmen are on this year’s roster — forwards Dane Gates and Keiden Denton along with guards Keeton Rowe and Cruz Ward.
The Pirates got the new season underway Tuesday night at Porum.