Gary Hendrix will probably be the first coach to tell you that games aren’t won on paper.

But with how the roster is shaping up, the Tigers are looking quite strong going into this season: four returning starters from a team that went 19-8 and lost in the area consolation finals — and a state tournament berth — to Cascia Hall.

“I think we have a chance to be pretty good,” he said. “Since I’ve gotten back into coaching, I’ve been fortunate to have some good teams. Where this team fits in when comparing to the other teams, I don’t know for sure.

“We have the ingredients of a good team. We’ve got some size, can shoot and handle the ball a little. We have a chance to have a team like we’ve had the last three-four years.”

The returning starters include 5-foot-11 Dewayne Foster (12.7 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game), 6-6 B.J. Pennington (5.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg), 6-4 Courtney Gaston (14.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg) and 5-11 Stephen Keese (3.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg).

However, Tyler Ashley, the first player off the bench for the Tigers last season, will not play in 2008-09 after suffering a knee injury in football. He had surgery in late October to repair an anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear.

“Tyler had a lot of experience,” Hendrix, who has a 416-164 record, said. “He’s a good shooter. We’re going to miss him.”

The Tigers won’t be hurting for a fifth starter, however. Tanner Owens, who played while Ryan Keese sat out before becoming eligible to play last season, got some experience a year ago.

Other players figuring into the mix for the Tigers include Brandon Jackson, Braden Carr and Billy Waltrip. Jared Rockman, a transfer from Bartlesville, will be eligible to play in early January.

Staying healthy will be important for the Tigers’ success this season.

“It’s just a matter of putting it all together,” Hendrix, going into his 18th season at Fort Gibson, said.

Fort Gibson’s season opens in its own festival Dec. 1-2.

—Kenton Brooks