Cardinals eager for redemption after tough finish last season

But, according to senior point guard Dylan Cooper, it could prove to be a good thing moving forward. The Cardinals, who finished 19-8 overall and 8-1 in the Kaysinger conference last year, lost to Linn in overtime in the district final.

"We're extremely motivated. After that loss to Linn, we're hungry," said Cooper, a returning All-Conference and All-District selection. "We want that district championship. We're going to give it our all."

Winning districts would be nothing new for the Cardinals, who won the most recent of their seven titles in 2012. Tipton has played in the district final the past four years.