Wes Hayes has faced his fears head on and it's pretty clear he intends to overcome them.

When Hayes took over the remnant of a team that made the Class 5A quarterfinals last year, getting the team to buy into his stringent work ethic was his primary concern.

"I'm a different breed of cat when it comes to what you do every day, practice or otherwise and my fear was them thinking that well, they didn't have to go through this last year and made it to the state tournament so why should they have to do it now? My belief is it will take that kind of effort and preparation to get back. You have to go to work every day with your best effort. Right now we're not there yet but if they want another state trip it's my belief they're going to have to."

All-stater and All-Phoenix MVP Matt Qualls is gone along with a four-year average of double-doubles. Qualls' dad, Leroy, retired with his son's graduation, leaving the team to Hayes, 85-88 in his career.

But there's enough pieces to make another run, starting with Adam Stovall, a 6-6 senior who will have to fill Qualls' shoes inside. Stovall is being recruited by Oklahoma, Arkansas and Florida as a 6-foot-10 high jumper.

"I've told him the expectations are going to be different for him," Hayes said. "He's going to have to be a 15-point, 10-rebound guy for us every night. He's got some great athleticism and my main focus with him is developing his back-to-the-basket play. If he can do that, and he can also jump out of the gym anyway being the athlete he is, that's going to be a key for us."

Stovall understands those expectations.

"We're not as big as we were last year and that was a big reason why we got to state," he said. "With coach helping me on my game, hopefully I'll be able to handle my role and we do need to work hard and come together as a team."

The other key returning piece is point guard Jonathan Griggs, who averaged 10 points per game last year.

"He's another one with a strong upside to play at the next level if he brings the work ethic that's necessary," Hayes said. "I cant stress that enough.”

Tahlequah is waiting on the outcome of move-in Stephen Keese from Fort Gibson, a starter at point guard on that team’s run to the 4A semifinals last year. His status is pending with the OSSAA who is looking into the situation concerning the transfer.