Athens High basketball coach Venard Hendrix is having to start the season in a fashion he’s not accustomed to.

The Golden Eagles are expected to have one of the more talented teams in north Alabama this year, but that’s not the issue Hendrix is having to deal with. The thing that’s different at Athens this year is the fact six players expected to play key roles for the Golden Eagles haven’t stepped on the basketball court yet.

This year, six of Athens’ basketball stars decided to play football. But as long as the football team is winning, Hendrix isn’t going to complain.

“I’m proud of our football team and all of the success they’re having this year,” he said. “I wish nothing but the best of luck to coach (Allen) Creasy and the rest of those guys. I hope they can keep it up and win a state championship.”

Hendrix believes as long as his players are part of something positive, then the benefits are worth the wait.

“Right now, its still football season,” Hendrix said. “Basketball season really doesn’t get going until after Christmas. Those guys aren’t in basketball shape, but I’m pretty sure they’re picking up a basketball every now and then.

All six of the guys we have on the football field are good athletes and they’ll be able to get into shape pretty quick.”

So what’s Hendrix going to do until football season is over?

“We’re going to play anyway,” Hendrix said. “Basically, we’re going to use a lot of our junior varsity guys and get them some varsity experience. The good thing about this whole situation is that some guys are going to get some varsity experience they normally wouldn’t have. It’s going to give us a chance to get a look at the future of Athens basketball, and a lot of these young guys can play.”

When Athens gets all of its personnel back, Hendrix believes the Golden Eagles will be a talented team. With seven seniors – Justin Pitts, Ferrell Williams, Jeremy Stinnent, Jacquez Pride, Darius Troupe, Chris Hobbs and Zack Brock, – Hendrix expects good leadership this season.

“Our guys work hard,” he said. “They know about our basketball tradition here at Athens, and they know you have to work hard to compete at that level. All of our players have a lot of class and character. They come from good families and they want to be successful.

“We’ve got a lot of different guys who can do different things. But with our tough schedule, we need that to be successful.”

One weapon Athens has is 6-foot, 4-inch Pitts. The senior center is being recruited by several Division I schools, including Jacksonville, Fla. Hendrix is expecting Pitts to play a big part in the Golden Eagles success.

Hendrix said Athens’ goal this season is the same as it is every year – win a state championship.

“Our goal at the beginning of every season is to win a state championship,” he said. “I know only six teams can win one, but I want us to set our goals high.”

Before Athens can win a state championship, the Golden Eagles have to get through Class 5A, Area 16. With the addition of Decatur, Area 16 is going to be loaded with talent. Hendrix expects tough games from every team in Athens’ area.

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work to reach our goals,” he said. “We’ve got some good athletes, but it takes hard work to carry you through the season.

“With the teams on our schedule, it’s going to be tough. I expect Decatur, Russellville and Muscle Shoals to all be good.”