CLARK FORK — The good news for the Wampus Cat girls basketball team this season is that they boast a wealth of speed and quickness.

The bad news is that they only have seven varsity players, which could make for some long nights in North Star League play.

Head coach Dexter Vogel, who has taken the Cats to state the past two seasons, admits it will be an uphill battle to earn another trip this season after losing four key contributors to graduation. Luckily, the team has a great attitude and work ethic, which can go a long way in determining the fate of the season.

“They’re all energetic and fun to be around, just good, quality kids,” says Vogel. “It’s nice to have the kids that want to work and have fun.”

Leading the charge will be senior point guard Dimi Kailang, a cat-quick player who has wreaked havoc in opposing back courts for the past three years. Kailang averaged four steals a game last season, while scoring double figures eight times, including games of 15, 16,16 and 18 points. Her speed leads to a lot of run outs and easy fast break baskets in transition.

“She’s good at handling the ball,” says Vogel of his floor general. “I’m hoping she handles the pressure better this year.”

Senior power forward Tess Vogel also returns with a lot of varsity experience, and is a threat to post a double-double on any given night. Vogel call his daughter a team leader, and with a short bench, is hoping she can use a bevy of low post moves and good inside shooting touch to give the undersized Cats an inside presence.

Juniors Annie Wurm and Lyndsie Kiebert will also start for the Cats, bringing some athleticism and intangibles to the floor.

“Annie has quick moves in the post, and we need to get her to shoot when she’s open,” says Vogel, also lauding the play of Kiebert at shooting guard. “She has a lot of desire to win, she competes.”

A lack of size, coupled with only two bench players, means the Cats will need to be able to play nearly every position on the floor. A dark horse that could provide a big boost for the Cats is senior Mariah Miller, who hasn’t played basketball for the past two years. The All-North Star League volleyball player has hops and speed, but hasn’t played hoops since she was a freshman.

“She’s fast, and really aggressive, if she sticks with it, she’ll do really well,” says Vogel. “Her footwork and fundamentals are lacking, but she has a lot of talent and can jump.”

Megan Frazier and Kimber Taylor will see plenty of minutes off the bench. The Cats would love to press, but that often leads to fouls and fatigue, neither of which the Cats can afford.

Kootenai is probably the early favorite to win the lone 1A Division II playoff berth, but the Cats and Mullan are both capable of making a run as there is no prohibitive favorite this year.

Kailang says if the team plays to its strengths, the wins will come.

“We need to work hard, play as a team and have fun,” she describes. “We’re a lot better at moving the ball and taking our time, but still pushing it when we can.”

The Wampus Cats open the season tonight, hosting  3A Priest River at 7 p.m. at Clark Fork High School.