By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

After dropping the opening game of the Charles Dickinson Thanksgiving Tournament at Shelby County High School on Nov. 23 to Sumter Central, the Calera Eagles stood at just 1-3 on the season.

That has not diminished head coach George Drake’s outlook on the young season, as the third year coach maintains this team is on the right track.

“I feel like we have played hard and competed in each one of our games,” Drake said via email on Nov. 24. “I think that is a plus with this group. I have been pleased with our teams approach to games and practices. We are definitely on the right track. The future for this group of guys looks really bright. We have a long way to get to where we want to be but every game and practice has revealed that this team will continue to get better as the season goes on.”

Calera dropped its opener in the Charles Dickinson Tournament by a final of 78-64. Chase Walker led the Eagles with 15 points in that outing while Tyler Millin added 14 and OJ Williams chipped in 11 to account for nearly 65 percent of the Eagles’ scoring.

Calera will face George Washington Carver High School out of Birmingham tonight at 5 p.m. in a consolation game.