This basketball season the Lady Cougars look much different than last year. Gone are several key players from the repeat sectional championship team from last winter.

Three seniors and JV coach Katie Seward have left the program. Replacing Seward with the JV squad is newcomer to the area Coach Naomi McPherson. She has moved to the area from her home in Michigan.

The Cougars return five players with varsity experience. Leading the way will be seniors Abby Reinke and Carly Yoder. Both will be called upon to provide leadership and on-court statistics, rebounding, steals and scoring on a regular basis. These two young ladies have worked hard in the off-season to become better basketball players.

Following the senior class are three juniors, Maria Lewis, Quinci Eller and Jessica Yoder. Lewis will be called upon to lead the JV team. Eller and J. Yoder are a quality duo who have played a lot of basketball together. Their experience on the court is beyond statistical measurement. They provide knowledge and heart that this team will rely upon for much of the season.

The sophomore class has Paige Barnes and Kate Hickner returning with successful freshman experiences to build upon. They will be asked to provide support in their roles during this varsity season.

Finally, there is the freshman class. This group brings numbers and youth to the team. They are Courtney Benefiel, Hunter Cook, Storm Dreadfulwater, Shelbi Fisher, Kaitlyn Ragan, Macy Ropes and Paige Spesard. Fisher and Spesard add numbers to the varsity squad and will learn from the upperclassmen. The remaining freshmen will compose the JV squad for this season.

After these ladies scrimmaged at Lewis Cass and won three of four quarters, it is apparent they have skills, speed and athleticism.

Coach Mike McCroskey and assistants Jack Malson, Naomi McPherson and Tom Hedde will have these ladies pointed in the right direction all season.

The Lady Cougars open their 2009-2010 season at Western on Tuesday and travel to Tri-County for the TC Invitational on Nov. 21.