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By BUBBA KAPRAL
MARTINS FERRY -- Derek Edwards will never forget his inaugural season as a head basketball coach.
Nor should he.
Edwards stepped into his dream job last winter, that being head coach at his alma mater Martins Ferry. The former all-Ohio point guard enjoyed a season few coaches ever experience.
The passionate and high-energy mentor guided his Purple Riders to a sparkling 21-3 record and the OVAC 3A championship, the program's first since 2002. Icing on that sweet Purple cake was Edwards being named the Division III state Coach of the Year.
The Purple Riders' success wasn't a matter of Edwards taking over a veteran team. He welcomed back just one returning starter from a group that went to a pair of regional tournaments.
"I learned a lot from last year. First, I evaluated myself and how I handled certain situations and what I would do differently." Edwards said. "We had a lot of success last season due to players buying into our philosophy.
"We had eight seniors last year and they were all willing to sacrifice for the good of the team. They were a very unselfish group. They obviously will be missed."
The departed eight are Zac Selby, Logan Selby, Shane Schuster, Jack Davis, Javon Garriel, Darrell Price, Darius Ray and Micade Masters. Zac Selby garnered a host of postseason honors.
Their exodus creates a huge talent and depth void for this year's team. Compounding matters is the fact the Purple Riders have no returning lettermen.
Edwards -- ever the optimist -- is relishing the challenge that Year 2 brings.
"We will be a different type of team this year. We have a lot of size this year. That will be our strength. We will look a lot like our traditional teams here at Ferry," Edwards said. "Having no lettermen poses a challenge on paper. But I look at potential not paper. We also play six of our first seven on the road."
While the Riders boast a bunch of bigs, point guard will be a key element for continued success. Edwards believes he has a good one in 5-10 Logan Powell.
"Logan has been in the gym on his own more than anyone. He put a great deal of time in during the offseason," Edwards said. "We are asking him to get us in our offense and get the ball down the floor. I believe in him."
Another senior guard critical to the team success is 6-foot Marcus Clark.
Demitrius Dokes, despite standing just 5-10, will supply inside strength for Ferry.
Rayquan Prayear is another post who will provide inside muscle off the bench.
Deandre Pugh is being counted on to be a major force inside for the Riders. He is a 6-5, 285-pound junior.
The Purple Riders' frontcourt will get a major shot-in-the-arm from a ultra-promising freshman. Logan Smith brings a 6-5 frame and bundles of talent to the mix.
Donovan Shrodes will be a contributor inside and out. Edwards likes what he sees in the 5-11 junior.
Dasyn Hores -- a 5-10 sophomore guard -- will also see time.
Senior Justin Stradwick is a 5-10 senior transfer from Bellaire and supplies additional reserve strength.
Two other juniors will provide quality depth in the backcourt. Justin Geary is a 5-7 "skilled ballhandler" while Troy Wise is a 5-8 "defensive specialist."
Sophomore Cody Olson -- a 5-10 guard -- harbors nice potential.
Caleb Olson is another 5-10 sophomore guard. Edwards calls him, "a defensive force."
Sophomore Michael Buksa is a 5-10 guard, transferring in from Buckeye Local. Edwards says, "I like what I see in him."
Ruben Hilson (5-9 guard) and Elijah Smith (5-10 forward) are two freshmen that Edwards is also high on.