By BYRON BEERS

Cole Robertson is the perfect role player for Tahlequah.

The junior forward isn’t currently a part of the starting five, and he’s perfectly fine with that.

Robertson provides the Tigers with a spark off the bench.

“My role is to be any kind of player that my coach wants me to be,” Robertson said. “I just know that I’ll always have the most energy and excitement coming off the bench as I would if I was starting.”

Tahlequah first-year head coach Quinn Wooldridge likes Robertson’s grittiness and play on the defensive end.

“Cole is a hard worker and dedicated defender,” Wooldridge said. “He’s willing to sacrifice stats and glory in order to contribute. He’s a great leader and does a lot of the little things that go unnoticed within a team.”

“My strength is definitely my defense and my hustle, and I feel like every team needs a person that is willing to go 110 percent every time he’s out there,” Robertson said.

Robertson has also fine-tuned his shot.

“I believe that over the years I’ve been able to find my shot and really get confident in shooting the three ball,” he said.

The Tigers dropped back down to Class 5A this year after a brief one-year visit to 6A last season. Robertson’s top goal is to get to the state championship game.

“I feel our guys can take Tahlequah to the state tournament for sure and I don’t just have faith in me but I have faith in the whole team and coaching staff to get us there,” Robertson said.