Tigers reload with 20-player roster

ODESSA — With 20 players out for boys basketball — including five eighth-graders — Odessa coach Deric Schmierer believes his Tigers are poised to snap a postseason drought that has lingered for several years.

Schmierer, whose two sons are on the roster (senior Aiden and junior Izaak), ascended to the head coaching job after six years in the junior high program and assisting under retired coach Mike Carlquist.

“My coaching philosophy is to hustle, play hard and focus on defense,” Schmierer said. “We’re going to try and get after it on defense, build our program on defense and rebounding. That r...