There's no time like the present to get started working on the future.
The Blair Oaks Lady Falcons basketball team got started on their future during team camp last week and are continuing the process this weekend with games in the Licking Team Camp in Rolla and St. James.
"We are going to have a lot of new faces seeing playing time next season," Blair Oaks coach Leroy Bernskoetter said Friday.
The Lady Falcons have to replace two starters in multi-time all-state selection and Missouri State signee LeeAnn Polowy and all-district player Sara Jones.
"It's going to take some time for us to get used to the fact that LeeAnn and Sara aren't with us anymore," Bernskoetter said. "LeeAnn was a four-year starter on varsity for us, you just don't easily replace someone like that."
The Lady Falcons will be looking for several players from last year's junior varsity squad to step up to the big stage next season. And that can be a bit of a daunting step.
"The really good freshmen never play junior varsity," Bernskoetter said. "So when you're playing on the JV, it can be a big jump to see that type of competition for the first time.
"The game is a lot more physical and quicker on the varsity level, there are experienced girls out there. It's just a whole different speed."
After dropping their opener Friday, the Lady Falcons bounced back to win their next three frames.
"Each game, I saw a different group of girls step up and do some good things," Bernskoetter said. "There was a lot of good stuff that we were able to carry over from our camp."
Due to a combination of injuries and other time conflicts, the Lady Falcons are a little shorthanded this weekend.
"We've got a few less players than we would like playing, but it's a good group and I'm seeing a lot of good things," Bernskoetter said. "They've been working hard."
The Lady Falcons will play their final game of pool play today before entering the bracket tournament.
The Blair Oaks junior varsity team also went 3-1 on its first day of action at the camp Friday.
Blair Oaks hosted a total of 70 players at last week's camp for players entering grades 4-12.
"It was a very good turnout," Bernskoetter said. "We got a lot of work in with the younger girls as well as with the older ones."
Bernskoetter believes the future is bright for the Lady Falcons.
"We'll have quite a few girls battling for playing time next season, which is what you want," he said. "We'll be competitive."