This season will likely be a tough test with the Golden Eagles moving into the challenging Laurel Highlands Conference under new head coach Luke Rhoades and assistant Steve Ramsey.

Consisting of championship-caliber teams like Bishop Guilfoyle, Johnstown, Central, and Penn Cambria, the Laurel Highlands may be one of the toughest conferences in the state.

Tyrone hopes to improve their status this season and be seen as a championship-caliber team themselves.

The players are looking forward to a new coaching staff as it will feel like a fresh start.

The coaches are thrilled with the level of work that the players put into off-season workouts that began in the summer when Coach Rhoades and Ramsey took over.

“I’m excited to be a part of this team and I can’t wait to see how far we go,” said senior point guard Dravyn Crowell.

Tyrone will have to replace the production of two outstanding players lost to graduation, Ross Gampe and Zac LeGars.

However, the boys will return a lot of familiar faces including Kendall Lehner, Drew Escala, Sam Crilly, Ashton Walk, and Drayvn Crowell.

Coach Rhoades is coming in with a fast-paced offense that will feature a deep rotation of 10 or more players. Luckily for Tyrone, they have a lot of talent and depth that will allow them to keep players fresh.

Senior Drayvn Crowell is joined by senior Brady Ronan, who took a year off last year but is back and ready to go for the upcoming season.

The team also has a lot of newcomers including sophomores Billy Rudden, Isaiah Corbin, and Julian Fisher, along with freshmen Carter Gwinn, Mason Emigh, and Ben Walk.

The boys will take on the Rams of Penns Valley tonight on the road. The tip-off is at 7:30.