Over the course of their high school careers, Wright City seniors Abby Dreyer and Abby McNeill have grown tired of criticism from their peers. The duo is determined to silence the naysayers by regenerating enthusiasm around a girls basketball program that has struggled to compete over the past five years. "In school people make little comments, like ‘the girls don't ever win,'" said Dreyer. "Last year that kind of changed, and this year I want it to be done and for people to be excited about watching us." As the towering duo enters their final season, they are determined to change the image of the program. The Wildcats took a step in the right direction last season during their first year under coach Fred Ross, finishing 7-17 after winning just one game the previous winter. This year they are using the remaining criticism as motivation. "Having that in the back of your mind just makes you want to try even harder, because we know we're better than that," said Dreyer. Dreyer and McNeill will be dominant forces in the paint for the Wildcats this season. McNeill, who is Wright City's tallest player, is entering her fourth varsity season and third as a starter. Last season she averaged 4.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Dreyer broke onto the varsity scene last year, leading the team with 7.3 points and 6.8 boards per game. "People say basketball isn't a contact sport, but it really is," said McNeill. "Especially playing in the post, you have to really be tough." Even as Wright City's tallest players, the duo will often find themselves giving up a few inches to the opposition. But each has learned to compensate for that by becoming skilled in other areas. "There's always going to be someone bigger or better, but that doesn't mean they're always going to win," said Dreyer. "You just have to know moves to get around them, whether it's swimming over them or getting around them using your butt to get them out of the way." "You especially have to box out and make sure you get in front of them and push them back so you can get the over-the-back calls," added McNeill. In terms of wins and losses, the duo's career has been less than satisfactory. Wright City won just five games during their freshman and sophomore years combined. The task of resurgence has more difficult said than done, but the duo says opponents better note write the Wildcats off as an automatic win this winter. "We've been working hard this summer and pushing ourselves in practice," said McNeill. "I'll think we'll surprise some people this season. If we could even double our wins from last year, that would amazing." Coach Fred Ross says it will be in large part up to Dreyer and McNeill to carry the Wildcats, since they should be adapted to the high level of competition. "We look forward to them taking more charge their senior year," said Ross. "The pressure is going to be off since it's not their first year of varsity." Each has worked on individual weaknesses and will bring a different strength to the court. McNeill didn't feel she reeled in enough boards as a junior and wants to become higher percentage shooter around the glass. "I really want to improve my rebounding, because it wasn't as high as I wanted last year," said McNeill. "Then also finishing on all the close shots we should have made." Dreyer is also looking to sharpen her accuracy and help out the guards by putting the ball on floor with confidence. "I had a really bad shot percentage, and I hate that," quipped Dreyer. "And I had a lot of turnovers, so I really want to improve my dribbling skills." The duo admits that the phrase 'this year's team is different' is probably thrown out every preseason. But they honestly feel there is something uniquely positive about the 2011 version of the Wildcats. "Everybody works well together," said McNeill. "We're mixed up all the time in drills, and you never get separated off. You learn how everybody plays. The chemistry between all of us is really cool." If it all comes together, Dreyer and McNeill would like to make a few statements on their way out, including taking down a pair of Eastern Missouri Conference rivals.  "MOCO is always one of our most physical games, and we're pretty evenly matched, so it would be fun to go out and dominate against them this year," said McNeill. "I would love to beat Bowling Green," finished Dreyer.