Lincoln County High School basketball fans will get their first look at the 2018-19 Lady Patriot and Patriot basketball teams tonight (Thursday).

The tip off to the new season is still 19 days away, but the two teams will take to the hardwood tonight as the LCHS program hosts its annual “Meet the Patriots” event.

Lady Patriot coach Cassandra McWhorter and Patriot coach Jeff Jackson will be introducing their latest squads at the annual “Meet the Patriots” and will be conducting brief scrimmages following their introductions.

The evening will also include a short pep rally to celebrate the Lincoln County football team advancing in the Class 5A State Playoffs. The Patriots will be introduced to fans. They play Pulaski County Friday night in Somerset in round two of the playoffs.

The night’s activities begin with a chili/soup supper from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the upper gym lobby. The chili supper will be followed by a live auction at 7:30 in the J.C. Eddleman Gymnasium. Squad introductions will follow immediately after the auction.

Tickets for the chili supper and “Meet the Patriots” are $8. Tickets only for “Meet the Patriots” are $5.

The Patriots, who finished 13-18 last season, will open first, tipping off their season at home against Lafayette on Nov. 27. Jackson returns four of his five starters from last season, with seniors Blake Smith and Bryson Yaden, junior Riley Bodner and freshman Jaxson Smith all back. Other Patriots returning with significant varsity experience are seniors Darius Napier and Sawyer Carrier, junior Elijah Frye and sophomore Baylor Mattingly.

The Lady Patriots, who return all of their starters from last year’s 24-7 team, open on Nov. 30 at Rockcastle County. Back for a final season are senior starters Maddy Boyle, Emma King, Zaria Napier and Kaitlynn Wilks. Rounding out the roll of returning starters is junior Trinity Shearer. Senior Anna Lane and junior Lydia Rice saw a lot of varsity action last season.

The Lincoln girls, who have reigned as 45th District champions for eight out of the last nine years, took the title again last year and made it to the semifinals of the 12th Region Tournament where they fell to eventual region and state champion Mercer County.