Purcell opens the 2025-26 basketball season with their GPS in full working mode.

The Dragons start the season on the road December 2 at Marlow and follow that with a trip to Marshall County at the Madill Tournament December 4-6.

The first home game of the season is set for December 9 when the Dragons host Washington.

Coach Toney Cooper begins his fourth season at the helm of the Dragons, who face a monumental rebuilding task.

Lost to graduation were six seniors including Kenna Esparza, Haven Buchanan, Tinley Winters, Hannah Whitaker, Hadleigh Harp and Bri Wren including all five starters of last year’s 16-11 season.

“Losing all five starters certainly presents a new chapter for us this season,” Cooper said, “but I am excited about the opportunities it brings for our returning players.”

Cooper will lean heavily on senior Lili Del Toro.

“She stands out as our most experienced player and will be crucial in guiding this group,” the coach confirmed.

Fellow senior Halle Buchanan, who gained valuable experience last year, will also be a key component this season.

“She has returned stronger and more confident, ready to make an impact. Sophomore Kaylee Peoples has been diligently working on her recovery from injury. She was a key part of our rotation last season and I have no doubt she’ll pick up right where she left off,” Cooper said.

Her sister, Rylee, put up good numbers in the summer and again in the pre-season.

“She had a good summer and preseason, consistently showing up as one of our top scorers. I’m thrilled to welcome back senior Kaylin Vazquez, who has returned to basketball with such determination, the coach said.

“Her versatility allows her to play any position, which is a significant asset for us. We’re also counting on contributions from Isa Walker, Halle Madden, Lyric Harding, Taygan Winters, Avery Hines, Taylor Leggett and others,” Cooper said.

“Their energy and effort will be vital in maintaining the high tempo I love while keeping our competitive edge sharp,” Cooper continued.

Blending the pieces into a complete puzzle will be a key for the success of the ‘25-’26 squad.

“Our preseason has been promising,” Cooper confirmed.

“I’ve witnessed a blend of solid teamwork and improved defense, alongside some moments reflecting our youth and inexperience.

“The encouraging part is their growth,” Cooper said. “Each scrimmage they’ve shown improvement and that excites me for the upcoming season.

“My expectations for this team are high and our goals remain unchanged. We aim to be one of the teams competing for a state championship,” Cooper concluded.

Matt Lohn is starting his second campaign as head coach of the Dragons without the services of Brayden Tharp, Seth Bunch, Alec Thompson, Kevin Resendiz and Christian Kirk due to graduation.

Returning starters for the 2025-26 edition of Dragon basketball include Jaime Resendiz, Canaan Colburn and Kyler Rangel.

“Jaime will be a top player in the conference,” Lohn said. “He has the ability to score the ball at a high rate at all levels.

“Canaan and Kyler will guide us and provide stability in the back court, getting us into offense and identifying where our advantages are. Guard play will be the key to our success, and I know both of these guys are eager to lead us in their own ways,” the coach said.

“Canaan is gifted at using the dribble to get into gaps and create offense,” Lohn said. “He has really worked on his finishing and outside jumper. Kyler provides us with the sense of a true point guard, possessing great court vision and the ability to keep the offense on track. He is also a willing defender, taking great pride in keeping his man in front.”

Lohn said he is depending on juniors Drew Blair and Kyeston Martin to produce in their starting roles on both ends of the court.

“Drew will be a key contributor on offense after having a great summer, and Kyeston has natural instincts on both ends that I feel have made us better as a team,” the coach said.

Lohn also said he is looking for senior twins Ryder and Maddox Ward and senior Alex Rojo to play important minutes.

“The twins bring great defensive energy and have a knack for getting in passing lanes, creating instant offense.

“Rojo gives us another ball handler off the bench, defends hard. He is a knockdown shooter when he gets his feet set, Lohn confirmed.

The coach said several prospect are on the horizon including sophomore Tripp Eck and Mason Holmes.

Junior Jayden Polk,and sophomore Van Williams and Josiah Allen all have a chance to make contributions this season, the coach said.

“I feel our strength will be our ability to compete at a high level,” Lohn confirmed.

“One thing I was instantly impressed by when I arrived at Purcell was how hard these kids competed.

“This gives a chance to be in every game, no matter the opponent or adversity faced. Last year was a testament to their ability to compete when you look at how we played our toughest opponents, and the fact we played in so many close games,” Lohn said.

“I am hopeful that we can take the lessons from those losses and flip the script, winning the close ones while also maintaining the big leads we are able to gain in the upcoming season.

“We need to grow in our ability to consistently knock down the great looks our offense creates,” he continued.

“If we can do this while also improving our commitment to playing team defense on the other end, I think we become a very tough out for other teams on a nightly basis,” Lohn said.

The coach said he is excited for the season that is coming off an 8-11 performance last year.

“We have also gained an unmatched level of experience on the sideline with Lee Reimer and Jason Tompkins joining high school staff,” Lohn said.

“They both have their unique strengths. They demand excellence and both bring a different set of high quality experiences that our guys can lean into daily for guidance,” he said.

Lohn said although conference teams are very competitive he feels this year’s Dragons have the ability to compete right at the top.

“I expect our non-conference opponents to challenge us in a way that will only make us better come February,” Lohn said.

I know these young men have high aspirations for where we will finish, and they have spent countless hours in the weight room and gym in preparation for lofty outcomes,” he concluded.

Dragon notes:

Purcell Head Coach Matt Lohn expressed his extreme gratitude to everyone who donated to the program during their telethon.

The Purcell program raised over $10,000 that has already been put to good use with new uniforms for the seventh and eighth grade teams and for Nike travel suits the high school team will be sporting this season.