The Pinson Valley boys basketball team took its annual team picture earlier this week.

It’s a yearly ritual done before the start of each season.

This one was clearly different.

This picture was missing Caleb White. The star senior died in August after collapsing during a pickup basketball game at the school.

“It was weird not having him there,” Pinson Valley coach Darrell Barber said. “We had his framed jersey there and left his seat vacant. When you have moments like that, it’s still hard to process.”

The Indians have dedicated their season, which starts later this week, to White.

They have patches on each of their five sets of uniforms with his No. 1. His locker has been encased in fiberglass.

“We have the same goal every year of winning a state championship, but this year we are going to continue to play for him and through him,” Barber said. “Initially, of course, it was tough just trying to find a way through it. We played a little bit in a fall league. It seemed to go well.

“I’ve seen a different team. We have therapy once a week, and I think that has helped. We’ve always been a tight-knit group. I think this group is even tighter and will continue to lean on one another throughout.”

White was just 17 when he died. One of three finalists for 6A player of the year in 2023, he had just started his senior year at Pinson Valley. He averaged 20.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals as a junior and likely would have been a leading Mr. Basketball candidate this season.

“For me personally, Caleb was like a son,” Barber said. “We had a great relationship. It’s been tough. Lately, I’ve been able to string some better days together whereas to begin with every day was hard. I am doing better. I still have my moments.

“One thing that is tough is that it (White’s death) happened here at the school. It didn’t happen off site, and we just heard about it. We come to this lockerroom every day. We come to the gym every day. That’s tough, but I find myself smiling a little more each day, although you still definitely have those moments.”

Barber expects to still have a talented, title contending team on the floor. He said junior Austen Coner and sophomore Clyde Walters have stepped up to fill new roles. Sophomore Quay Lynch will help Coner with the point guard duties.

Five players overall return from last year.

“Last year, Terry (Coner) and Caleb were the leaders,” Barber said. “Terry has graduated. Austen and Clyde have accepted their new roles beautifully.”

Barber said Pinson plans to play fast as always, but he thinks there may be one difference in this squad.

“Last year, I thought we shared the ball really well, but this team is so unselfish,” he said. “I really love how well they share it. We are going to play defense as always, and we have some guys who can shoot it, but I like the bond this team has on and off the court and I think that comes from what we’ve been dealing with.”

Pinson Valley opens the season this weekend in Montgomery at the Park Crossing Tipoff Tournament. The Indians play Park Crossing at 7 p.m. Friday and Sidney Lanier at 11 a.m. Saturday. AHSAA teams can officially start the season on Thursday.

“I’m praying we aren’t too overly emotional,” Barber said. “We really don’t know what to expect when we get out there. We know it will be emotional, but hopefully we can stay even keeled and play hard and play for him. I don’t know how we will handle it because it’s still very day-to-day, but I do think they have a sense of urgency to play for their brother.”

Pinson Valley will play its first home game against Carver-Birmingham on Saturday, Nov. 11. It’s been deemed a “Caleb White Out.” All fans are asked to wear white in White’s memory. His jersey will be retired and there will be other tributes.

Barber said the team will carry White’s jersey to each game and leave a seat vacant on the bench. His name is still on the officially Pinson Valley roster.

It’s the only name that is italicized.