Having a roster with a freshman class that outnumbers the other three classes combined doesn't seem to have a negative impact on the South Callaway Lady Bulldogs.
"We've got probably one of the best freshmen classes that we've had in a number of years," South Callaway coach Darren Humphrey said.
Paige Clubb and Delaney Horstman lead that freshman class of seven. Both have already earned spots in the starting lineup along with seniors Adrian Mann, Ashley Potter and Kaci Jordan.
"They've taken them in, taken them under their arm and really were a great motivational tool," Humphrey said of the seniors.
The Lady Bulldogs are off to a 7-0 start and hope to keep it rolling when they face Eldon at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Capital City Shootout at Fleming Fieldhouse.
"It's just a great event," Humphrey said. "Our girls are really pumped up about coming back and trying to make a mark."
Mann, a Division I signee with Nichols State, is the top scorer for the Lady Bulldogs, who are averaging nearly 74 points per game. South Callaway has also gotten it done defensively, limiting opponents to 42 points per game.
"I think we're one of the toughest schools around our area," Humphrey said.
"We play in the Show-Me Conference, which is a great conference to play in. A lot of schools there with a lot of potential."
The Lady Mustangs enter the contest looking to end their early season struggles.
Eldon is off to a slow start after winning the Tri-County Conference championship with a perfect league record last season.
But Eldon coach Ashley Agee said she isn't discouraged.
"Our heart and hustle," Agee said has been a takeaway from the beginning of the season. "I preach that every day. Sometimes team that win aren't the most athletic teams or talented as the team that has the most heart and hustle. We work to have that every single game."
Senior Macie Haldermann has shined for the Lady Mustangs.
"She's our best player by far," Agee said. "She's averaging a double-double for us right now. A lot of things run through her."
Fellow senior Grace Baucom is also one of the leaders, but has been limited so far because of an injury.
"She's going to step up and do some good things," Agee said. "A couple of games we lost, I think if she's in the game there's no question whether we win or we lose those two games."