MOSES LAKE - With 10 returning players, including all five starters, Matt Strophy who has compiled a 136-109 record in his 10 seasons as the girls basketball coach, is looking for a big turn around for the Chiefs who finished sixth in the Big Nine Conference (3-17) and were bounced out in the first round of the district playoffs last year.

"The girls and coaches were not satisfied with our season and have been working hard to make this a better year," he said. "And with the changes in our league set-up, we feel confident we can compete for the league title."

The CBBN realigned last spring as Richland, Walla Walla, Pasco and Chiawana dropped out of the league to form their own conference, leaving only Moses Lake, Davis, Eisenhower and Wenatchee in the Big Nine. Eastmont and Sunnyside moved up from 3A to make it a six team conference.

The five returning starters back for another season with Chiefs are Sadie Nielsen, Courtney Kunjara, Keiley Garcia, Carina LeFave and Emily Olson.

Also expected to make an impact on the team this year are McKenna Walker, the leading scorer and rebounder for the Moses Lake Christian Academy Lions team who transferred to Moses Lake High School this year, and Jessie Loera.

But Strophy said he expects all of the girls to make a contribution.

"We don't want to put any unnecessary pressure on any of our players, so we are looking for all of our girls to step up when they are given the opportunity," he said. "We want all of our girls to be aggressive, yet make the right decisions within our offensive and defensive game plans.Ê We don't want any girl deferring to a teammate or be afraid to take a shot or make a mistake, and weÊwill win or lose as a team, not as individuals."

Strophy said the team is working hard to improve their weaknesses (layins and free throws) and likes how the team is coming together, which makes achieving their goal to finish among the best in the league attainable.

"I have been extremely pleased with the first few days of practice.ÊWe did come in a little out of shape, but that seems to be the case every year," he said.Ê "But with the number of returning girls, we have been able to hit the ground running more so than in previous years.Ê They all know what we're trying to accomplish and they want the same things, so it has made our practices more disciplined and competitive."Ê

The biggest obstacle standing in the way of Moses Lake achieving the goal Strophy has challenged the team with is the Davis Pirates who return 10 varsity players.

"Wenatchee lost their best perimeter shooter to Eastmont, so they might take a step down, and Eastmont a step up," he said. "Both will be extremely competitive, and we will have to play good consistent basketball to beat them.Ê Sunnyside also returns their top four scorers from last year, so they should be tough as well."

The Chiefs get a chance to see how they will stack up to the competition when Moses Lake kicks off its regular season at home against Wenatchee December 14.