Despite losing four key seniors, the Warrenton girls basketball team is feeling optimistic coming into the season. 

“We are a very young team, but we have a whole new mentality on how we are going to play this year,” Head Coach Hannah Logan said. 

Logan noted the team is going to play a more fast-paced game this year due to having a big post presence, which is different from what they had last year. 

“It is kind of like a whole new team, but I think all the girls know what we have to do and I think everybody’s going to have to play their part for sure, but I think we’re going to be a good team,” Senior Erin Klasing said. 

With key players from last year’s team such as Naveah Hill, Isabel Benke, Sophi Mueller and Kylie Overkamp graduated, Logan will be looking for new players to step up. 

“We are going to have to have big games and big performances out of seniors Erin Klasing and Nyasia Love, as well as looking for sophomore Sophia Benke to be ready to step up and take that big role as one of our guards,” Logan said. 

“Losing Naveah from last year just gives us more reason to want to be better and to work harder to step up and fill in those shoes,” Klasing said. 

Logan went on to say they will be relying on the junior class as well, which consists of five players. 

“That’s a pretty big class, with a lot of them not having many varsity minutes. This will be their first year, so we’re going to see how well we can progress and handle the big game,” Logan said. 

The Warriors will be looking for a conference championship three-peat, after having won conference the past two seasons. The team has also set goals to win their first round of districts and have a winning record. 

Last year, Warrenton finished with a 19-8 record. 

“I think we need to continue having confidence in each other and our teammates, as well as realizing how hard we have to work at all times on the basketball court,” Logan said when asked how they will achieve a conference title for the third year in a row. 

While preparing for their first game of the season, the team has been focusing on their defensive game, an area they hope to improve in. The Warriors plan to mark man to man and press. 

In addition, Logan wants to see improvement in their scoring. She noted this area could be a little bit of an issue the team will need to work through, but they have been working on quick looks and finishing. 

So far, Logan noted communication and encouragement are two things that have been sticking out to her during practices. Since this is a young team, there has been more explaining during drills and practices, but the team is doing a good job uplifting one another. 

Junior Makayla Witthaus added the team is pretty guard heavy and they have a plethora of good shooters. 

“With this being a whole new team, I think a big goal for everybody is being comfortable and knowing everybody’s strengths and knowing your teammates have got your back,” Klasing said.