The California Pintos girls basketball team is expecting to work hard and get better every day this year.
Head Coach Bobby Sangster said the girls will continue to develop its success this year. Last year, the team finished with a record of 26-5 and finished second in state after losing to Strafford 77-36 in the Class 3 championship game.
"We lost some big pieces last year, but at the same time, we return a very strong core of girls, who were very vital in the success of last year's team," Sangster said. "So, we need to see them continue to grow and continue to get better and teach the new pieces going into the program how we do things.
"If we continue to do that and put out a good effort and cheer for one another and get better every day, I think success will find this team."
Going into the season, Sangster said the team wants to be high energy.
"We want to focus on the fundamentals; we want to be sound," Sangster said. "I think this team has a really strong chance to be very good defensively. We've got some new faces who I think will be able to step up and help at the varsity level. It is a new journey, a new team; you know, we are not last year's team and that is okay. We are just excited to start moving forward and excited to take that next step."
The team's depth is another strength this year, according to Sangster.
"I think that we've got a lot of pieces that are returning, and then we've got some girls that are new to the program who are going to step in and help us quite a little bit," Sangster said. "I think we will have the opportunity to play a lot of people and a lot of people will be able to contribute.
"I think we will be a very efficient ball club; that is what we are going strive to be. If we can play good defense and be very efficient on the offensive end, I think we will have a very successful season."