Veritas Christian High School basketball players Drake Napier and Maci Dressler.

The winter sports season already started at Veritas Christian, after its boys basketball team played a game last week. The Eagles have their eyes set on not just starting the season on a strong note, but playing well at the state tournament in March.

Here is a look at the Veritas basketball teams:

Boys basketball

After taking fourth place at the KCAA state tournament last year, Veritas Christian’s boys basketball team has higher sights on its mind.

The Eagles have five players who started at least one game last year, led by junior guard Chad Stieben, junior guard Miles Dressler and senior forward Drake Napier. Junior Mark Weinhold and sophomore Michael Rask rounded out the starting lineup in Veritas’ first game of the year, a 64-55 victory over Calvary.

“We had great summer workouts and played extremely well in the summer- ending Eudora Tournament,” said first-year coach Carl Huslig, who had coached Veritas’ junior high team for the last three years. “The confidence from that tournament has carried over to our early practices. We have all of the parts for an extremely successful season.”

Veritas is also hoping to get key minutes on the floor from sophomore guard Weston Flory, junior forward Isaiah Garrett and sophomore forward River Welch.

The Eagles are still working on developing a reliable point guard and a vocal leader, but are excited about their potential to finish higher than last year at state.

“Chad Stieben was our leading scorer last year and will be counted on heavily again,” Huslig said. “However, we have shooters at all five positions. Defensively, we have athletes at every position that should allow us to be a very good defensive team.”

After the season-opening win, the Eagles will play again today in the Shea Tournament.

Girls basketball

Not many girls basketball teams can match the speed and defensive pressure of Veritas. The Eagles have quick guards who cause havoc for opposing ball handlers.

That speed and defense comes primarily from guard Tori Huslig, guard Alyssa Krestan and forward Maci Dressler. Huslig averaged more than six steals and 18.4 points per game last year.

“We are excited to mix in the newcomers with their defensive pressure and quickness to our returners from last year,” 14th-year coach Kevin Shelton said. “We hope to be able to begin where we left off and add even more defensive pressure to our opponents.”

Veritas, which went 13-12 last season, also brings in freshman Emma Wilson, who has shown a strong knack for scoring in practice, along with Nefertiti Shepherd and Nefertari Shepherd.

“Our biggest challenge early is to fit together all of our new young players defensively and come together as one strong unit,” Shelton said. “If we are consistent defensively then will will be difficult for all of our opponents.”

The Eagles will start their season today in the Shea Tournament.