The parts are there for the Helias Lady Crusaders.
It's a matter of placing them in their proper positions.
"We've got good depth," Helias coach Doug Light said as the Lady Crusaders prepared for tonight's season-opener against the Blair Oaks Lady Falcons in Wardsville. "We've got a lot of kids who can play and who will make contributions.
"We need to figure out where we're going to use everybody because a lot of kids are going to play."A lot of kids bring parts to this team."
Helias returns seven letter-winners from a 17-12 that advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to eventual state champion Incarnate Word.
"A lot of these kids have been through the battles before," Light said. "They know what it takes to have a successful season."
The Lady Crusaders will start the season a little shorthanded. Mai Nienhueser (6-2 jr.), an all-district selection last season, has been limited in practice due to an injury. She did not participate in the Jamboree last Friday at Helias and Light said probably will not play tonight.
But the Lady Crusaders will not lack for size up front. Darcy Baird (6-2 sr.) and Molly Sandbothe (6-0 sr.) will start inside for the Lady Crusaders, with Katlyn Cowell (5-10 sr.) also in the lineup.
The trio will be joined in the starting lineup tonight with guards Molly Light (5-7 jr.) and Luci Francka (5-8 jr.). Light believes Francka will be a key performer for the Lady Crusaders this season.
"She could have a big year," Light said. "She can do a lot of good things."
Olivia Johanns (5-10 jr.) saw significant time inside during the Jamboree, while Ashley Rehagen (5-9 soph.) provides a strong presence outside.
"Ashley can flat shoot it," Light said.
The Lady Crusaders have changed some things this season on both the offensive and defensive ends. Light said the changes, especially on defense, will take some time to come to fruition.
"We're still getting used to it, we've still got a lot of work to do on it," Light said. "So as the season goes along, it should keep getting better and better."
Light is happy to get the chance to get the season started tonight.
"It's going to be good because it will give us another look at what we need to improve on before our next game," he said.
Blair Oaks also took part in the Jamboree. In a pair of six-minute periods, the Lady Crusaders finished with a 22-14 edge on the scoreboard against the Lady Falcons.
"They looked pretty solid, they did a heck of a job in the Jamboree," Light said.
After tonight, the Lady Crusaders are off until Dec. 6, when they will take on Pilot Grove in the Norm Stewart Challenge at Columbia College. Helias will open its home schedule Dec. 11 against the Fatima Lady Comets, a Class 3 quarterfinal team last season.
Helias will then take on Battle, a Class 4 quarterfinalist, in Columbia later in December before facing Class 5 Final Four participant Eureka in the opening round of the State Farm Holiday Hoops Invitational.
"It's a good schedule that's going to prepare us," Light said. "The tests we have, especially early in the season, are going to make us better down the road."
The junior varsity game is slated to start at 6 p.m. today in Wardsville, with the varsity contest to follow around 7:30 p.m.