Tyler Legacy’s Jayden Jones (1) looks a teammate during the District 10-6A opener against Rockwall-Heath Dec. 19, 2023, at the Tyler Legacy Varsity Gymnasium. (Michel Alfaro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

After winning just seven total games in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, the Tyler Legacy Red Raiders got a taste of the basketball playoffs in 2023-24 in the first year under head coach Kyle Smith.

Jackson Rogers hit a 3-pointer with 24 seconds left, and Tyler Legacy missed two free throws with 2.2 seconds on the clock as Wylie escaped with a 43-42 win over the Red Raiders in Class 6A bi-district action, ending Legacy’s season with a 17-16 record.

Wylie lost in the next round to Mansfield Lake Ridge, which defeated District 10-6A member Rockwall in the Class 6A Region II final. Legacy split with Rockwall last season.

The Red Raiders were in the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and second time since 2015. They were looking for the program’s first postseason victory since 2007.

Now, with a strong returning core and two 6-6 sophomore additions, the Red Raiders look to compete for a district title and make a deep run in the postseason.

“We’re excited,” Smith said. “We return a lot of guys and have most of our scoring back. There is a ton of potential. We just have to continue to grow and get better.”

Among the returnees are veterans Ja’Corian Oes (6-5 senior) and Jayden Jones (6-3 senior). Oes averaged 18 points and 8.9 rebounds last season to earn District 10-6A Offensive Player of the Year honors. Jones averaged 17.7 points and 3.9 rebounds and reached 1,000 career points.

Also back are 6-3 junior Gage Nuckolls (6.6 points, 4.5 assists), 6-2 senior JP Rainer (6.4 points), 5-8 senior Tyler Henry and 6-7 senior Josh Hall.

KJ Cyres and Zyere Ceasar are 6-6 sophomores expected to add versatility to the Red Raiders’ rotation.

“We didn’t shoot many threes last year,” Smith said. “This year, everyone can shoot it. We hit nine threes in our scrimmage against Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill. I feel like we will have numerous games this year where we make 10-13 threes.”

Legacy will open the season at 7 p.m. Friday at Crandall. The Red Raiders will be at home twice next week with games against Lufkin on Tuesday and Dallas W.T. White on Friday. The only other non-district home game for the Red Raiders is Nov. 25 against Tyler High. Other non-district games for the Red Raiders include Mount Pleasant, Duncanville, Hallsville, Hudson and Lake Highlands. Legacy will be in tournaments in Coppell, Forney and Allen.

The Red Raiders will begin district play Dec. 17 at Royse City.