MEDORA — The Medora boys basketball team looks completely different than it did just one season ago.

Despite not losing any seniors and returning their leading scorers, the Hornets just have more depth this season, and it was on full display during Friday night’s 68-45 win over Martinsville Tabernacle.

Medora still has the offensive production from seniors Braxton McCory and Shepard Earl, who both led the way in scoring with 16 and 15 points, respectively. They still have the steady play of senior Eli Sturgill and sophomore Dawson Cornett, who both got on the score sheet with five and two points, respectively.

But additions like freshmen Jaxon Nugen and Hudson Johnson, and the development of junior Eli Lane has given the Hornets a whole new look.

“It’s real nice,” head coach Mark Morin said. “You can kind of use the bench as a teaching tool, and I haven’t had that very often. I like this team. We have a mix of some seniors and some freshmen. It’s really all on them. I have not been around a team that has worked as hard as they have in the offseason.”

Medora jumped out to a 20-9 lead at the end of the first quarter over the Eagles. Earl dominated in the paint while Johnson and Sturgill each drilled a 3-pointer to give the team a 10-0 start.

McCory drilled a 3-pointer to end the first quarter, and he hit another triple to begin the second period. He led the team with 12 points at the break.

As Martinsville Tabernacle started to close the gap late in the second quarter, Lane came up with two big fastbreak layups. One was from Lane taking a rebound coast-to-coast, and the other was Lane jumping a passing lane to get an easy two.

That sparked the Hornets to have a 37-22 lead at halftime.

Nugen got into rhythm late in the third quarter, hitting a couple jumpers and converting a couple three-point plays.

Medora had no issue putting away Tabernacle en route to its 23-point victory.

Nugen scored eight for the Hornets while Lane scored 10 and Johnson had 12. Morin said it’s nice to have young pieces like Johnson and Nugen on the court, and he credited the effort Lane has put into his game.

“Eli Lane is meeting a coach in the morning at like 5:45 before school,” Morin said. “You can tell he’s gotten better.”

This was Medora’s first win of the season as the Hornets stand at 1-1 so far. They’ll play next Thursday back at home against Seven Oaks Classical.

Morin wants to see his team continue to get better.

“We’re playing a lot of different defenses, so we need to get those nailed down,” Morin said. “I didn’t like our offense. We were real stagnant first half, but I think this team can be competitive.”

Box score

At Medora

Martinsville Tabernacle;9;13;14;9;—;45

Medora (1-1);20;17;20;11;—;68

Medora: Braxton McCory 3 8-12 16, Shepard Earl 3 9-13 15, Hudson Johnson 5 0-0 12, Eli Lane 4 2-3 10, Jaxon Nugen 3 2-2 8, Eli Sturgill 2 0-0 5, Dawson Cornett 1 0-0 2, Totals 21 21-30 68.

3-point goals: M 5 (McCory 2, Johnson 2, Sturgill)

Rebounds: M 17, MT 18

Fouls: M 14, MT 19

Junior varsity

Medora 62, Martinsville Tabernacle 15.