Coming off a two-win season, Calvary Lutheran girls basketball coach Hannah Matthews is seeing a different vibe from the team as it prepares to open the season tonight at New Bloomfield.
"The girls have come in with a really positive attitude and they've all worked hard," Matthews said. "I can already tell this season's gonna be a lot different."
The Lady Lions have three core players returning to the starting lineup in seniors Rachel Thompson and Izabella Chilambo, and junior Claire Duenckel.
"They are all very strong shooters," Matthews said. "And then several others have really stepped up. We try to do a lot of shooting in practices to see where everyone feels comfortable."
Another returning sophomore, Elizabeth Lieb, is expected to be a starter for Calvary. Fellow sophomore Caydence Cooper will be one of the first players off the bench.
A pair of sisters are slotted to start at point guard and in the post. Baileigh Morris, a senior, decided to join the team and will run the point, while freshman Sydney Morris can play the No. 5 spot.
"She knows how to see the ball and go get it, so she's a great rebounder," Matthews said of Sydney Morris. "And our other two post players, Izzy and Elizabeth, are great rebounders as well. And then we've got a couple of strong guards who are not afraid to go pound in there with the post and go get it."
Improving half-court defense has been one of the focuses in practice for the Lady Lions.
"We've got quicker hands this year," Matthews said. "The first couple weeks of practice we really worked hard on help side, and then helping the helper. We've really worked on shifting over and helping."
And when the Lady Lions get stops, they plan on getting to the other end quicker than they have in the past.
"We've really been working on transition, both on the defensive end and offensive end," Matthews said, "so we're going to look to push it a lot more this year."
After tonight's season opener at New Bloomfield, Calvary will play Eugene in the Eugene Tournament that starts Monday.
Calvary's first scheduled home game is Dec. 8 against Columbia Independent.
The Lady Lions won't host their annual tournament because of COVID-19, but they are scheduled to participate in the Russellville Tournament in late January.