If you want to watch the 2018-19 edition of the Reedley College Tiger men's basketball team play at home, you will have to wait until 2019.

Head Coach T.J. Jennings' squad plays its entire pre-conference schedule on the road before opening Central Valley Conference action at home on Thursday, Jan. 3 against the Porterville College Pirates.

The new season begins on Tuesday, Nov. 6 in a 7pm road matchup with the Modesto Junior College Pirates, a former conference rival.

"It is hard to get teams to come to Reedley," said Jennings, who added that you almost have to offer teams to make the trip and the Tigers don't really have anything to offer.

The Tigers only have two returnees on the roster, at this writing. "We are facing a little bit of adversity," said the fifth-year head coach. "We were hoping it was going to be three. There is a possibility that one of the would-be sophomores (who the coach did not identify) to come back at the break but he has to take care of some things. We really want to make sure that he is in a position academically."

Right now, the veterans are Cole Taber (Hanford) and Ruben Parks (Edison, Fresno), who led last season's (6-8, 11-15) squad in scoring at 17.2 overall and 18.7 in conference play.

Jennings gave four-year schools a chance to get a closer look at Parks and Taber at fall showcases in both Northern and Southern California. They both did well and so did the team.

The list of incoming freshmen includes two guards from Atlanta, GA in Khalid Wilkins (a 6'2" point guard who is very athletic) and Chase Howell. The coach said that Howell followed his best friend in Wilkins to Reedley.

"He is quick, can cause some chaos and can finish around the basket," said the coach. "Wilkins is a great pickup for us while Howell is more of a shooter. They are our one-two punch. Chase was in our starting lineup but suffered an injury and is working his way back."

Local talent includes Uriah Carter, a 5-11 guard from Edison in Fresno and another former Tiger in 6'6" James Hannah. Both shined at the Showcase games, said the coach. "James is your shot blocker and your traditional big," said the coach.

Another freshman and former Edison player is 6-5 JJ Johnson.

"We have a lot of versatile guards so we will have to get up and down the floor," said Jennings.

By Will Goldbeck