As winter sports begin to kick off non-conference play, girls’ basketball coach Patrick Surles and his players have their eyes on improvement and success this season.

While Surles hopes to “finish in the top half of [their] conference,” Jalin Debnam, a returning senior to the team, has more ambitious goals.

“My goals for this season are not just for me, but as a team, we want to succeed and be better than last year, and hopefully make at least third in conference or higher,” Debnam said.

Last year, the team received a record of 10-12 and in conference, 3-7.

Debnam believes they have what it takes to make their goals a reality.

“I think the team could [do well in] conference because of our chemistry and also all of our hard work,” Debnam said.

Surles is optimistic about the upcoming season because he sees great potential in the team as a whole.

“We have a strong core of returning players and some really talented new players,” Surles said. “We will definitely be a more ‘driving to the basket’ team. We will also be able to rebound better, and we have some good height as well.”

Although the loss of last year’s seniors is a setback to the start of the season, Debnam values the lessons and skills they left behind.

“Since we have six returning seniors, I feel like this year everybody has a taste of the seniors last year and can go off what they brought to the table and also extend it to the new players that are coming this season,” Debnam said.

Debnam is eager to begin the season and discover the team’s potential for success.

Debnam said, “I’m very excited to see what we can do and to prove everyone wrong who has been doubting us.”