Already equaling their total wins from last year, the Rowland Hall-St.Mark's girls' basketball team is feeling optimistic about what lies ahead. A wide-open Region 14 should also allow the girls team to contend in the league.

Getting some wins in preseason is what the players are talking about. "We're sick of losing," says sophomore guard, Blake Harries. "We come ready to play and when we do, we usually win," the Winged Lion star said.

Last season, the team struggled to a 4-16 record and then lost to North Sevier 48-22 in the first round of the 2A playoffs. Through their first eight games of this season, the improved Winged Lions (4-4) have played as a team and their coaches feel that's made a real difference in the team's positive start. "Players are a lot more confident. There's a great camaraderie," says assistant coach, Jamie Wilhite. Head coach Teresa Totorica returns all five starters and an upgraded bench.

The team is led by sophomore guard Blake Harries and junior Hillary Dealey-Thomason. Their biggest strength is great perimeter shooting and leadership. The sophomore and junior are the leading scorers but they also have risen to become the team leaders. Harries is a superb athlete. She started as a freshman last year and is a state champion tennis player.

This season, the well-rounded athlete has the team playing better because she doesn't try to do it all by herself. "She's the type of kid that, if she's not hitting her shot, she'll pick it up with her passing," Wilhite explains. Harries doesn't feel the pressure of being the team leader because she knows Thomason and others can pick up the slack if she has an off night, which wasn't the case much last year. "It's great" she's (Thomason) got so much experience. She is huge help to the team," Harries said. Senior Jerica Johnson is the Winged Lions best player in the paint. At 5-foot-9, Johnson is little undersized at center but she makes up for it with her athleticism.

The team's other starters are Abby Bossart who can play either point guard or shooting guard and forward Erin Armentrout. With a small varsity team, the coaches are working on physical conditioning. They believe it's one weakness they can improve upon right away. After going 0-8 in region play last season, the team is much more excited about getting a chance at redemption. "I think we'll hold up this season," Harries says. "I want to win at least fifty percent of our region games," she said hopefully. Region 14's power is down this year but the schedule is not that friendly to Rowland Hall. They open league play with four of their first six games on the road.

Girls basketball

Team: Rowland Hall-St. Mark's Class: 2A

League: Region 14

Coach: Teresa Totorica

Record last season: 4-16

Playoffs 2005-06: Lost first round

Key returning players: Jerica Johnson, center, senior; Abby Bossart, guard, junior; Blake Harries, guard/forward, sophomore; Hillary Dealey-Thomason, forward, junior;

Erin Armentrout, forward/center, junior; Paige Musada, guard, junior; Coleen Franqueline, guard/forward, sophomore.