By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — Riverside coach Timmy Byrd doesn’t talk like someone who has lost seven seniors from his regular rotation last season.

No, instead Byrd seems energized and excited to coach what he believes is an extraordinarily skilled bunch that boasts just one senior, but vast promise for not just the future, but the season upon us.

“This team, I think, is going to look a lot more like the teams we had at Reserve Christian,” said Byrd, who built a dynasty at that school before it closed its doors in 2009. “Those teams really got up and down the court and pushed the tempo. We’ll put five guys out there who can all shoot from three, put it on the floor, and that share the ball.”

Gone is Ricardo Gathers, the two-time Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year — he’s currently in his debut season at Baylor. So too are Louis Dabney, Donald Thomas Jr., Zelvin Smith, Donald Thomas, Lucas Martin-Julien and John Lewis from a team that won two Class 2A state championships and finished as state runner-up over the past three years.

This year’s team boasts one senior, Cory Costanza, a 6’4 forward who earned his way into last season’s rotation.

“He’s paid his dues and earned his spot,” said Byrd. “His leadership has been very, very good. He had an exceptional summer.”

Sophomore Von Julien, who split time at point guard a season ago, steps in as the full-time starter this season and Byrd expects him to be a team leader.

“He distributed the ball really well this summer,” said Byrd. “But Von can score it, too.”

Khalea Turner returns for his freshman season after playing alongside Gathers a year ago; the 6-foot-9-inch center has made tremendous strides, said Byrd.

“He’s bigger and stronger,” said Byrd. “He’s improved tremendously as a finisher in the paint.”

Guard Malik Crowfield will be another major cog as a freshman.

He also carved out a regular rotation role last year and made an impression as a 3-point marksman.

“He’s got All-American type talent,” said Byrd. “He’s a very efficient scorer.”

Riverside opens play Wednesday at home against Miller McCoy in a doubleheader with the girls team.

The Rebels biggest early season test, though, will come Dec. 3 as Riverside hosts Scotlandville, the defending 5A champions.

“That’ll give us a good idea of where we are right now.”