Bill Permakoff is the program's fourth head coach in the last five years, the third for three seniors who are beginning their fourth year of varsity play.

"It's been difficult," says senior forward Hanna Humphrey, "because each coach has been completely different. I like where Coach Permakoff is going with it. I wish we could have had him earlier. I think we can have a winning team this season."

Senior Leondra Smith (8.2 ppg., 31 three-pointers) leads a trio of veteran guards that get after it defensively and push the ball on offense. The others are juniors Latanya Cain, the team's play maker, and Portia Brown.

Humphrey and fellow seniors Brittany Williams and Morgan Saunders provide experience at the forward postion. Last year's starting center, 6-foot-2 Abril Stroman, has an injured knee and is not expected to return until some time in December. Junior Brittany Justice is a threat from behind the arc.

Permakoff, who was a coaching colleague of Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, as the head baseball coach at Army in the 1970s, coached high school basketball for more than 15 years in Long Island, N.Y., and in the Knoxville, Tenn., area.

He calls himself old school, but not old-fashioned. He plans to install several different kinds of motion offenses and focus on teaching the basics.

"Our theme is that we are a work in progress," the coach says. "The four coaches in five years has really been unfair to the kids. I intend to be here for the duration and help them. I'm very proud of their effort so far."

Head coach -- Bill Permakoff

Last year's record -- 8-16 (4-10 Mid-Southeastern Conference)

Losses -- Monique Jones, Ebony Smith, Keri Gregorio

Returnees -- Hanna Humphrey, Sr.; Morgan Saunders, Sr.; Leondra Smith, Sr.; Brittany Williams, Sr.; Portia Brown, Jr.; Latanya Cain, Jr.; Brittany Justice, Jr.; Abril Stroman, So.

Newcomers -- Ashley Brooker, Jr.; Sherisa Gillis, Jr.; Kelsey McDonald, Jr.; Shaneika McRae, Jr.; Jenny McElligott, Fr.

Season outlook -- The Patriot program is still trying to climb back from an 0-23 year in 2002-2003. Progress made by a young team in the 2004-2005 season, including a one-point loss to powerful Seventy-First, evaporated early last year under coach Dennis Foster. A lot will be asked of the experienced back court until the injured Stroman returns.

The O'Neal School

All but one starter returns for the O'Neal girls' basketball team that finished 21-3 last season.

The accomplishments for coach Don Woodfield's Falcons included Triad Athletic Conference regular season and conference tournament titles and a win over Union Pines in the championship game of The Pilot Cup.

This year's team will be looking for more of the same plus extending the season a little bit longer than last year when it was knocked out in the second round of the state 2-A tournament for private schools.

Woodfield is counting on sophomore Kitan Akinosho to replace the graduated Kat Davis at the swing position. The other starting spots are expected to be filled by standout returnees that include senior all-state pick Kristin Stewart at center, sophomore Syd McIlwain at strong forward, junior Margaret Cross at shooting guard and senior Kelsey Hukee at point guard.

The only new addition to the squad is junior guard Cate Dahl, the team's fastest player, who sat out last year after playing on the varsity as a freshman.

Head coach -- Don Woodfield

Last year's record -- 21-3 (12-0 TAC)

Key losses -- Kat Davis

Returnees -- Kristin Stewart, Sr. (15 ppg., 9 rbs.); Margaret Cross, Jr. (14 ppg., 4 steals); Kelsey Hukee, Sr. (4 assists); Syd McIlwain, So. (7 ppg. 8 rbs.); Kitan Akinosho, So. ; Kathryn Thornton, Sr.; Samantha Hayes, So.; Erin Menear, Jr.; Brittana Thompson, So.

Newcomers -- Cate Dahl, Jr.

Season outlook -- Coach Don Woodfield: "We've got a couple of tough matches right off the bat. I expect a couple of our younger players to be a bit stronger this season. We look to get farther in the state tournament. Hopefully, last year built some strength and character for this year."

Union Pines

During a preseason scrimmage against Lee County, the Union Pines girls demonstrated an ability to get up and down the court quickly with the basketball.

Nonetheless, the bread-and-butter style will more than likely be the same as for last year's 16-9 squad -- work the ball inside to the big people.

"We would like to be able to play that way," said Viking coach Henry Douglas of a quicker pace. "But our strength is inside with Carly (Shiflett), Tiffany (Dowdy) and others -- similar to last year."

All-conference player Tiffany Oxendine, Chantell Walker and Sekeya Fairley graduated after helping the 6-foot Shiflett and 5-10 Dowdy in that role last year. Douglas will be counting on Kira Fairley and Caitlin Clendenin, a 6-0 senior transfer from Grace Christian, to supply inside scoring this time around.

In addition to Shiflett, other returning starters are seniors Lindsay Cameron, the team's top outside shooting threat a year ago, and point guard Courtney Sauer. Expected to fill out the starting lineup against O'Neal in Saturday's opener in The Pilot Cup are sophomore forward Lindsay Wilborn and junior guard Brittany Thurlow.

The Vikings made it to the state playoffs last year for the first time since the 2001-2002 season, losing in the first round.

With Cape Fear Valley Conference superstar Trinity Bursey of Western Harnett now playing at UNC, Douglas expects the other teams in the league to be better and for the league to be more balanced.

Coach -- Henry Douglas

Record last year -- 16-9 (10-6 conference)

Losses -- Tiffany Oxendine, Chantel Walker, Shamecca Mosley, Sakeya Fairley

Returnees -- Carly Shiflett, Sr.; Courtney Sauer, Sr.; Lindsay Cameron, Sr.; Tiffany Dowdy, Sr.; Jasmine Lucas, Sr.; Brittany Thurlow, Jr.; Lindsay Wilborn, So.; Taylor Bridges, So.

Newcomers -- Caitlin Clendenin, Sr.; Torianna Baldwin, Jr.; Kira Fairley, Jr.; January Spencer, Jr.; Alisia Mosley, Fr.

Season outlook -- Shiflett, Sauer and Cameron are four-year varsity players and that should count for a lot. Both Shiflett and Sauer are coming off all-conference seasons in volleyball. "We are trying to develop more kids that can shoot from the outside," Douglas said. "A lot of teams are going to try to pack it in against us."

North Moore

The Lady Mustangs will field a veteran team this season, returning all of the players who were on the varsity roster last season.

Coach Sammy McNeill is confident that North Moore can improve on last year's 1-23 record and be competitive against most of the other teams in the Yadkin Valley Conference.

Eight seniors will make up the bulk of this season's varsity roster, including Brandi Chandler, Megan McNeill, Logan Monroe, Brittany Harper, Ashley Powers, Marissa Owens and Jasmine Covington, all of whom were mainstays on last year's squad.

Allison Braswell, a transfer from Asheboro High School, gives the Mustangs added strength at the guard position.

Rounding out the varsity roster are sophomore Miranda Love, who played regularly last season, and two freshmen, Stesh Barrett and Hilary Walters.

Head coach -- Sammy McNeill

Last year's record -- 1-23 (1-11 YVC)