With only two starters returning next season, Warren central basketball coach Bruce Robinson believes the upcoming basketball tournament is what his team needs to develop chemistry. 

“This will be a great opportunity for the boys to get acclimated to our system so they can get used to playing with each other,” said Coach Robinson.

The Vikings finished 16-11, losing to Greenville-Weston in the opening round of the Division 4-6A Tournament at Murrah.

The Vikings finished the 2013-14 season with a 16-10 record, their first winning mark since the 2005-2006 season.

The Vikings will display their talents at the third annual Viking Shootout on Friday at noon in the Warren Central High School Gym. The Vikings will play Humphreys County at 12:50 p.m. and Prentiss at 3:30 p.m. The tournament will include Vicksburg High, Ridgeland, Prentiss, Jefferson County and Humphrey County. Admission for the event is $3 and is open to the public.

Robinson said that the shootout would be good for his younger players’ growth.

“The tournament will help our players gain in-game experience.  We have a young team and it’s like we’re starting over. This will allow us to develop as a team.”

Robinson said that he and his coaching staff could benefit from the summer games as well.

“We’re putting a lot of pressure on ourselves because we are trying to build a winning team who can make a deep run in the playoffs. We will show growth as a coaching staff.”

Robinson knows that his squad will be able to hold their own against some of the state’s best young players.

“The teams that we will face are filled with great young talent. We feel that there’s plenty of competition in this tournament.”