Discussing bench depth is usually something that comes up as the season progresses, but Waynesville showed just how strong it could be early in a 66-27 crushing of Lebanon during Tuesday's season opener.  Tiger reserves lit up the scoreboard with 19 first half points enroute to a 41-14 halftime romp. 

Senior Rashad Swanson entered play four minutes into the game and finished with a game high 15 points, 11 of those in the first half.  Senior Jon Moore, returning to the basketball court after a few years, scored six in the first half and senior transfer Austin Bogle added his first Tiger points before halftime as well.

Swanson would finish with a game-high 15 points.  Juwan Morgan netted 14 and Joe Johnson 13 to lead WHS as nine players notched the scorebook. 

A more determined Lebanon team came back out for the third quarter, but Morgan and Caleb Rodriguez countered everything the Jackets tried early and the Tigers blew to a 63-22 advantage entering the final eight minutes.   By then Lebanon also faced a running clock and it was all but over. 

Waynesville nailed eight shots from behind the three-point arc, sank 16 of 23 from the free throw line and committed only five turnovers compared to 18 for the visitors.

Speaking of Swanson and Moore after the game, Tiger Coach Chris Pilz described them as "good energy guys" and added that since it is so early in the season, "We're still trying to figure out a  rotation."

It's a good bet that when they do figure out the rotation, Tiger fans will have a lot to cheer about again this year.