Fairfield high school Eagles basketball teams stepped out on the court for the first time this season in games early this week and tournament action over the weekend.

Varsity cagers are gunning for a sixth consecutive trip to the post season playoffs—-they advanced to the area round last year—-and have experience to start the trek.

"We have some experience, but we're hurting in depth," head coach Joey Worley reports.

The Eagles return a nucleus of five players with starting experience, headed by first team All-District pick Tevin Green at post and second team pick Willie Tatum at point guard. Green, who is 6-5, and Tatum are seniors.

Penciled in at guard is senior LaDarius Brackens, junior Chris Burns at wing and junior Dominique Owens at post. Burns is 6-3 and Owens is 6-2.

Currently rounding out the roster are senior post Vernard Evans, senior wing Evan Simpson, freshman wing Anthony Price, junior wing Robert Durham and senior point guard Mikael Busby.

Worley reports that he is looking at a couple more players to add to the varsity squad from the junior varsity and freshman ranks.

"We had a good first week of practice," the coach says. "We looked good in our scrimmage with Connally, but we still have a lot of work to do."

The Eagles won more than 20 games last year and finished the District 20-AAA schedule in a 3- way tie for second place with Athens and Palestine Westwood. A district playoff sent the Eagles to post season as the second place team.

Crockett is the defending district champions.

Varsity cagers are slated to play eight games and three tournaments before starting district competition on Jan. 15 at Athens.

Tourneys on tap include Grandview on Dec. 3-5, the Fairfield Tournament on Dec. 10-12, and Whataburger Tournament in Fort Worth on Dec. 28- 30.

Working with Worley are varsity assistant Brian Merrick, junior varsity coach Jody Walker and freshmen coach Wilbert Hunter.

The Eagles play at Groesbeck this Friday.