MCCURDY SCHOOL LADY BOBCATS

Head coach: Ray Roybal (first season)

2008-09 record: 21-6, lost 25-22 to Mora in first round of Class AA state tournament

Returning starters: None

Key newcomers: Novela Salazar, 5-5, senior, post; Isabelle Garcia, 5-5, junior, guard: Jacqueline Maestas, 5-4, sophomore, guard

Outlook — With no returning starters and just three seniors on the squad, the perennially contending Lady Bobcats could be hard-pressed to return to the state tournament this year. Roybal says the team, which lacks height, is "rebuilding."

"Our thing is making sure to play hard on defense and keeping the score low enough to stay in games and get a victory here and there," the coach says.

McCurdy, which boasts four sophomores on the varsity, will play patiently on offense, says Roybal, who previously coached at Santa Fe High, Desert Academy and St. Michael's.

"We just want to be out there and be competitive," he says.

MESA VISTA LADY TROJANS

Head coach: Richard Montoya (third season)

2008-09 record: 19-7, lost 59-47 to Peñasco in the District 3AA semifinal

Returning starters: Muriah Dean, 5-7, junior, guard; Crystal Martinez, 5-6, junior, guard; Samantha Giron, 5-8, senior, wing; Carmelita Trujillo, 5-9, junior, post

Key newcomer: Lily Martinez, 5-10, 8th grade, post

Outlook — The Lady Trojans could be poised to make waves in the district this season with a solid seven-player rotation and the return of off-guard Crystal Martinez, who missed the second half of last season.

Montoya said the team will be flexible enough to try and counter what opponents throw at it.

"If they try to run, we'll try to slow them down," Montoya says. "If they like to run, we can press 'em. We'll do what it takes."

Montoya says his team has acquired confidence over his tenure.

"I think last year was good year but think getting to state would be great," he says. "We haven't hung a banner in the gym since 1999."

PEñASCO LADY PANTHERS

Head coach: David Sanchez (first season)

2008-09 record: 12-14, lost 53-31 to Texico in the Class AA quarterfinals

Returning starters: Maria Sam, 5-5, senior, guard; Kim Chacon, 5-6, senior, forward; Lexi Trujillo, 5-7, junior, guard; Kimmy Vigil, 5-6, junior, guard

Key newcomers: Marcella Sanchez, 5-10, freshman, post/forward.

Outlook — The Lady Panthers might be the favorites in the district as well as a team to watch come state tournament time. But Peñasco will have some adjustment to a new system.

"It's a new style of basketball for them," says Sanchez, who moved from Grants in the offseason. "We like to get up and down the floor. We're trying to sell the girls on being defensive-minded. The experience gained at state last year will really help them out this year."

Sanchez says the team, which opens a tough nondistrict schedule with Mora and Santa Rosa, will be helped by bench players Chelsea Visarraga, Amy Rendon, Melanie Gonzales and Brittany Esquibel.

QUESTA LADY WILDCATS

Head coach: Miguel Romero (eighth season)

2008-09 record: 6-20, lost 55-30 to Mesa Vista in first round of the District 3AA tournament

Returning starters: Kelsey Zimmerman, 5-7, senior, post; Leann Trujillo, 5-3, senior, guard; Gabriella Quintana, 5-4, junior, guard.

Key newcomers: None

Outcome — Romero says his team could be in the mix come district time, especially considering the work the Lady Wildcats have put in the off-season.

"The girls worked hard this summer," Romero says. "They were there daily for open gym and we were able to work as a team. They're finally starting to play as a group."

Romero says the Lady Wildcats will try to make their mark by running on offense and pressing on defense.

"The attitude they have is that they have something to prove," Romero says. "We worked a lot on the other girls and they came through and got experience. If they stay healthy and believe in the system, we'll get there."