"Every team is really different," Schlabach said.  "The difference with this team is we have six kids who have been through a lot in our program.  And, we have 10 kids who have been through nothing.  Finding how to mesh those kids together is our challenge.

"We believe as always, in playing a lot of kids from the beginning, even though we won't have a lot of kids who will be ready," the coach continued.  "They will still play a lot, because we feel it's what is down the road that matters the most.  We'll have kids who aren't ready for Game 1 but will play in Game 1.

"It's a new group.  For kids who had a part of that State championship last year, it was a great experience.  They've accomplished something.  They can take their ring and put it up on the mantle," Schlabach said.

"Now they get the opportunity to have a new experience with a new group of kids," he added.  As coaches we have to look at it the same way.  It is this team's first time to be in this situation   They haven't won a game.  They haven't proven anything.

"These kids have worked really hard over the summer.  They worked hard in the weight room.  They've built enough of a base that now they've got a shot to go out and figure some things out."

Hiland lost five quality players from last year's team.

"We lost five really good players, " Schlabach said.  "We lost the best scorer we ever had in the history of Hiland.  We lost five seniors who combined for 18 letters.  We miss Kristi Yoder, We miss Rebekah (Thomas).  We miss Layla (Miller), Gabby (Fowler) and Jena (Stutzman).  They all had roles to fill and they filled them well.

"We met with our team and told them that in order to be successful, a lot of things had to happen," he added.  "The first thing we put on the list was unselfishness.  Last year we asked Jena to take less shots than she would normally take during the year to help develop confidence in her teammates.  That ended up paying off.  She chose to win a State championship rather than pad her scoring average by 10 points."

While the Lady Hawks lost a lot of quality, the cupboard is far from empty when it comes to who Hiland has returning.

"The core we have back, those kids have been tested and have played in big games," Schlabach said.  "We have a great leader in Karli Mast.  We're always looking for those leaders to emerge."

Mast will be playing college ball at Tiffin University, joining the ever-growing list of Hiland players to take their game to the next level.

"We have some juniors who are well tested and excited," Schlabach said.

Mykeila Mast, Hilary Weaver and Katelyn Stuckey all have played big minutes for the Lady Hawks.

"Katelyn had that coming out party at Classic in the Country where she played so well for us," Schlabach said.  "From that point on, she was extremely solid.  Playing with Kristi (Yoder) and Rebekah (Thomas) last year took some of the bigger kids off of Kate.  She is our main post player this year.

Jessica Stutzman will see limited action this season.

"We have to pick and choose where to use her," Schlabach said.

The addition of junior guard Noelle Yoder provides Hiland with good depth at the guard position.

"Noelle has great athleticism. She'll step in and be able to contribute right away," Schlabach said.

Ashley Weaver and Arrianna Schrock are a pair of sophomores who dressed last year and contributed some for the Lady Hawks.

"We hope they can take the next step and become role players for us," Schlabach said.  "They are both very capable players who have to believe.  Confidence is a big thing for them.

"We also have some freshmen who are looking for their first opportunity to be involved with the program.  We have a really good freshman group," he added.

Missy Mast, Bria Coil and Hannah Stoneman are a trio of freshman Schlabach is looking to for some production on the post.  Seeing as they are the biggest players on the Hiland roster, the coach hopes to work them into the rotation soon for some on the job training.  Call it 'baptism by fire.'

"These kids are all going to get an opportunity because we are thin on the post," Schlabach said.

McKenzie Miller and Meagan Hall are a pair of freshmen guards expected to contribute early on as well.

"Our numbers continue to be an issue.  We only have 16 kids in the program," Schlabach said.  "We have extreme quality in the kids we have.  They are kids who want to be here and who have worked very, very hard and have some goals.  Our big concern is to stay healthy."

Hiland faces few challenges in the Inter-Valley Conference.  Garaway has made two trips to State in the past three years, but the Pirates graduated Laura Bardall, the main cog in their engine.

"Garaway should still be good.  Strasburg is good.  They have everybody back and they're going to be the biggest team in the league.  And we expect Ridgewood to be really good as well," Schlabach said.

However, there are a few other games that will give younger players an opportunity to gain some valuable experience.

"We approach those league games knowing we have to be very disciplined and try and get better at some things," Schlabach said.  "Our practices have to be a war.  We have to get a lot out of those sessions to make up for those down weeks."

The coach says that finding the right balance is one of the important keys to how far this team will go this year.

"Finding that balance between being aggressive and being a leader on the floor and taking quality shots.  Getting other people involved.  This team need to do that," Schlabach said.  "There are going to be nights where a kid will get 20 shots and maybe two the next.  That's going to happen, because the ball will end up in someone else's hands at the right time in a game.  We tell the kids all the time that they need to be players, not scorers; be the complete player."