Senior forward Eduardo Davila will replace District 25-4A MVP Heath Hopson as the Badgers’ big threat. There is no district MVP at Lampasas any more.

Not yet at least.

While most head coaches would fret over losing an MVP like Heath Hopson -- the Badgers’ top offensive and defensive weapon in 2008-09 -- head coach Scott Harrelson believes he has a capable replacement and is confident his team can do some impressive things this season.

“Ironically, I feel like we have a player that is very similar to Heath [in senior forward Eduardo Davila],” the coach said. “He doesn’t have Heath’s size, but he is a very explosive athlete, and he is capable of scoring in high numbers like Heath did.

“Eduardo is capable of taking over a basketball game, and teams will have to deal with him because he can jump over the top of guys bigger than him, and he can take them outside and hit jump shots.”

PHOTOS BY RICHARD AKRIDGE Expectations are high for sophomore Secody Howard. Badgers’ coach Scott Harrleson believes Howard is capable of posting double figures in points and rebounds regularly. Tonight, the Badgers open their season on the road, and Belton will be first to contend with the 5-11 Davila. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.

Although he is excited about the potential surrounding Davila, Harrelson knows his new-look Badgers -- sporting five new faces on the varsity team -- must play consistently as a cohesive unit to earn the wins that avoided last year’s 8-24 (1-9 district) squad.

After losing its centerpiece, adding a handful of new players to the team and going most of the offseason without several players who were involved with the football program, Harrleson knows it could take some time to gel.

“We’ve got to learn to play together, and we’ve got [two months] to learn to play together [before district competition],” the coach said. “That team unity is going to be key. I’ve got a group that really likes each other. They’re really a tight-knit crew, and those [are the teams] that win.”

Key individuals within the team’s nucleus are returning players Astin Murray, Colton Perkins, Ethan Byers, Secody Howard and Brandon Scott.

Senior newcomer Carlos Cintron’s play off the bench also will be vital to the team’s success, according to Harrelson.

“He’s a dynamic shooter and when he’s on fire, our team really goes,” the coach said. “And he does a great job defensively in the press where he gets a lot of open-court scoring.”

Forward Manny Lopez is another senior playing on the varsity team for the first time.

“He’s one of those kids that you have to find a place to play,” Harrelson said. “He’s really come a long way.”

Other newcomers include juniors Eric Deaton, Sean Beatty and Gabe Myles.

After tonight’s season-opener, Lampasas plays four consecutive games inside its new gym.

Then, the team spends the rest of the calendar year on the road before playing five of its first seven district games at home. The Badgers conclude the regular season with a three-game road trip.

“I can only take it game to game,” Harrelson said of the schedule. “I approach it that we play minute by minute, and I don’t like to look ahead.”

Depending on how the team comes together on the court, the coach knows anything is possible for the Badgers this year.

“I’m looking forward to the season because always in the past, I’ve had the player,” Harrelson said. “I’ve had the guy that everyone knows as the player. Now, I’ve got a bunch of unknowns.

“Eduardo is capable of being that player that everyone looks at, but Brandon could be that player one night. Carlos could be that player one night. Ethan could be that player one night. Colton, Astin, all of them have the capability to put up big numbers.

“If we ever click, we could really be an explosive, fun team to watch.”