With nine freshmen joining the Waldron High School basketball program this season, head coach Beau Scott has three teams to manage – the typical varsity and junior varsity squads along with a rare freshman team.

“We are going to have a freshman team for sure … it’s more opportunities for guys to play,” said Scott, 12-33 in his first two seasons at Waldron. “We have so many guys that just need to play more so I am excited we are going to have a freshman team.”

That program depth keeps Scott from rushing freshmen to the varsity level which is not unusual at a small school.

Instead, Scott will build around three key returning players in senior Caden Sheaffer and juniors Lucas Mitchell and Bryce Yarling.

“Those three will play a lot and start a lot,” said Scott.

Yarling, a five-foot, eight-inch guard, led the Mohawks in scoring last season at 16.3 points per game. He made a team-high 51 three-pointers and shot 47% from the field.

“He has improved,” said Scott. “He is a lot more bouncy and strong. There are not a lot of scorers like him at his height. We are going to count on him a lot.”

Mitchell, at 6-4, will be the Mohawks’ front-line presence around the rim. He averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.9 rpg last season.

“He could have a big season,” said Scott. “He played a ton last year and will have more offensive opportunities. He’s got the potential to have a breakout season.”

Sheaffer, a 5-8 guard, does not fill the stat sheet but provides valuable contributions in other ways.

“He is always under control. He understands his role really well,” said Scott.

North Decatur transfer Bryant Becker is the program’s only other senior. He did not join the basketball program last season after his mid-year transfer and could be a reliable third scoring threat to go along with Yarling and Mitchell.

“He could be an ‘X’ factor because he can shoot it and is a good distributor,” said Scott.

Freshman Lucas Shaw, a 6-0 guard, filled the fifth starting spot for the preseason scrimmage but Scott sees Shaw, junior Sam Adkins (5-11 forward) and sophomore Jacob Lindsey (5-11 guard) sharing that role this season.

Shelbyville transfer Sam Jones, a 6-2 forward, also could see significant varsity time this season.

Waldron opens the season Tuesday at Crothersville, a program that went 4-19 last season and has a new coach in Bryant Layman.

“They lost a couple of key guys but they have some scrappy kids coming back,” said Scott.

That makes a scouting report tough to create for the Tigers.

“I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse not having a scouting report on a team with a new coach,” said Scott. “I kind of like it, though. We can just focus on us.”

Waldron hosts Knightstown on Nov. 27 before getting to its December schedule that includes games against three Shelby County schools and Edinburgh.

The Mohawks will travel to Batesville on Dec. 30 for a holiday tournament that also features North Harrison and Jennings County.

The Mohawks are the host for this year’s Shelby County Tournament which runs from Jan. 6-8.

Waldron faces potential sectional opponents Jac-Cen-Del, Hauser, Southwestern and Rising Sun in January.

The final two games of the regular season are at home against Liberty Christian (Feb. 18) and Anderson Prep Academy (Feb. 25).

“If we develop a little bit of depth, I see us being able to play with everyone,” said Scott. “I’ve seen our guys at their best so I am encouraged.”