The girls basketball season is under way for all local high schools. Here’s what local coaches have to say about their teams as the regular season began.

CACTUS COBRAS

4A West Valley Region

2016-17 Record: 20-9, 9-1 region (Lost to Coconino in second round of 4A playoffs)

Coach: Justin Shaver (third year as Cactus head coach)

Top Returnees: Myla Lee, Soph. 5-8 SG (9 ppg, 3.6 rpg); Olivia Lee, Soph. 6-1 C (6.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.1 bpg).

How many years have you coached girls basketball? Third season at Cactus.

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Versatility.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Consistency.

Who are your team leaders? Eight players returning from last year’s team.

Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? Freshman Eden Brosseau.

What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season? Being consistent effort and intensity to the gym everyday, practice or game.

Centennial’s Jamia Clark (#5) drives to the basket against Ironwood Dec. 8, 2016 at Ironwood High School in Glendale. [Jacob Stanek/Independent Newsmedia][/caption]

CENTENNIAL COYOTES

5A Northwest Region

2016-17 Record: 17-11, 6-2 region (Lost to Arcadia in first round of 5A playoffs)

Coach: Matt Visintainer (23 years, 16th at Centennial)

Top Returnees: Taylor Leonard, Sr., G (15.8 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.2 spg); Chantel Sloan, Sr., F (7 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

How many years have you coached girls basketball? This will be my 16th year as the head varsity girls coach, I was five years assistant and JV and frosh coach as well.

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? They seem to have a genuine concern and commitment to each other on and off the floor.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We will need to show more versatility on the defensive side of the court.

Who are your team leaders? Senior Taylor Leonard, junior Jamia Clark and senior Chantel Sloan

Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? A freshman who is working very hard to improve every day to help the team by the name of Jazmynn Speer.

What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season? Improve every day, and hold each other accountable for that improvement

DEER VALLEY SKYHAWKS

5A Desert West Region

2016-17 Record: 9-16, 3-7 region

Coach: Francisco Villa (First year at Deer Valley)

Top Returnees: Courtney Dennis, Sr., 5-8 G (8.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.5 spg); Jessica Roskelley, Sr., 6-1 C (5.8 ppg, 11 rpg)

DYSART DEMONS

4A Black Canyon Region

2016-17 Record: 9-10 overall, 9-1 Division III (Lost to Cactus Shadows in first round of 4A playoffs)

Coach: Thomas Vesey (third year as Demons head coach)

Top Returnee: Amani Callese, Jr., 5-8 G (11.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg); Jasmine Stokes, Sr., 5-9, C (7.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg).

How many years have you coached basketball? Third season at Dysart High School, 20-plus years in Idaho

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Agressiveness.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? taking care of the basketball and improving on our pass decisions.

Who are your team leaders? My seniors Amani Callese, Esmi Diaz, Yasmin Matos and Jasmine Stokes.

Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? Kiara Anderson and Serena Matthews.

What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season? Play solid defense and scoring when the opportunity avails itself.

IRONWOOD EAGLES

5A Metro Region

2016-17 Record: 21-6, 7-1 region (Lost to Cienega in 5A first round)

Coach: Jamie Carreon (third year as coach)

Top Returnees: Meghan Strickler, Soph., 5-7 F (5.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.4 spg); Maya Walker, Sr., 6-2 C (2.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg).

How many years have you coached girls basketball?  19 years

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Young and talented

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Closing out games with good solid defense.

Who are your team leaders? We are looking to our two upperclassmen, senior Maya Walker, and junior Selam Shibeshi to help lead our young talented team.

Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? We have 6-2 sophmore Nyakuer Aguek, to help with height, freshmen Alexis Moran, Jessica Kesler-Kline and Mallory Rich to help round out an already talented group of guards.

What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season? We need to stay Healthy. We’ve been hit with injuries that have sidelined some of our girls and we need to make sure we get through those adversities.

KELLIS COUGARS

5A Metro Region

2016-17 Record: 7-18 overall, 3-7 region

Coach: Andrew Hogg (sixth year)

Top Returnee: Terresa Pratt, Jr. G 5-5 (10.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.7 spg); Trinity Jones, Sr., 5-5 PG (6.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg)

LIBERTY LIONS

5A Northwest Region

2016-17 Record: 17-12, 4-4 region (Lost to Sierra Linda in 5A first round)

Coach: Lindsey Abramson (second year as coach)

Top Returnees: Brooke Hoeltge, Soph., 5-10 F (8.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg); Sydney Tenant, Sr., 5-11 F (5.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg).

How many years have you coached girls basketball? 3

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our team’s best attribute is our athleticism. We are very quick in the front court.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a successful? Our defense is something that we look to improve this year. We are also trying a new offense this year, so looking to improve our movement with and without the ball.

Who are your team leaders? Our team leaders this year are Sydney Tenant, Kaydyn Pilmore, and Emily Denslow.

Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? We are very young this year, so we have a lot of newcomers that could bring a huge impact to our team. Kate Lockhorn, a sophomore this year has improved a lot in the off season. Kaylee Spearman is someone we look to do big things for us. She is tough on the boards and works hard.

What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season? In order for us to make the tournament this season,  we need to continue to improve defensively, and execute our plays. Our players need to continue to grow individually and as a team.

MOUNTAIN RIDGE MOUNTAIN LIONS

6A Desert Valley Region

2016-17 Record: 9-17, 1-9 region

Coach: Sam Terrazzino (first year as coach)

Top Returnees: Jordan Kress, Soph., 5-10 G/F (12.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.2 spg); Jordan Miano, Soph., 5-9 F/C (3.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg)

How many years have you coached boys basketball? Four years boys basketball, first year with girls basketball.

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Being young and energetic.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Team cohesion and basketball IQ development.

Who are your team leaders? Savannah Glimpse (junior) and Kimberly Diaz (Senior).

Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? Lauren Maza, a new and athletic freshman guard. Olivia Magby a senior state qualifier for high jump.

What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season? The girls need to play as a group of five on the court, with constant communication, discipline and a defensive focus.

PEORIA PANTHERS

4A West Valley Region

2016-17 Record: 8-20, 4-6 region

Coach: Robbie Harper (Fourth year as Peoria coach)

Top Returnees: Zya Monroe, Sr., 5-5 PG (8.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.7 apg); Amayah Vaughn, Sr., 5-7 F (6.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

How many years have you coached girls basketball? 11 years

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Upper class leadership

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Team chemistry

Who are your team leaders? Senior Zya Monroe (4 year varsity letterman). Senior Amayah Vaughn

Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? Junior Kori Cannon

What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season? Consistent guard play

SHADOW RIDGE STALLIONS

5A Northwest Region

2016-17 Record: 9-17 overall, 0-8 region

Coach: Jason Reschke (First year at Shadow Ridge)

Top Returnee: Alyssa Marin, Sr., 6-0 PF (6 ppg, 5.5 rpg); Anna Garcia Soph., 5-3, G (7.5 ppg, 1.7 apg)

How many years have you coached girls basketball? Five years girls basketball, 10 years boys basketball beforehand.

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Unselfishness and grit.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We need to improve our rebounding and cut down on turnovers.

Who are your team leaders? Our three seniors Alyssa Marin, Skye Timpone and Anaija Mauk and our sophomore captain Dahsani Adolph.

Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? Anna Garcia, Hailey Parker, Lauren Ponsford, Alyseah Reyes, Alexis Contreras and Angela Gomez should have a big impact.

What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season? The team needs to stay healthy and continue to play together.

SUNRISE MOUNTAIN MUSTANGS

4A West Valley Region

2016-17 Record: 9-16 overall, 3-7 region

Coach: Jennifer Tolle (Seventh year at Sunrise Mountain)

Top Returnees: Shauna Rath, Soph., 5-8 G (7.3 ppg, 2 rpg); Kendra Fowler, Jr. G (5.5 ppg, 2 rpg)

VALLEY VISTA MONSOON

6A Southwest Region

2016-17 Record: 26-6 overall, 9-1 region (Defeated Millennium to win 6A state title)

Coach: Rachel Matakas (10th year at Valley Vista; 25th overall)

Top Returnees: Taylor Chavez, Sr., 5-10 G (20.5 ppg, 3.5 apg, 5 rpg, 3.8 spg); Rysha Banner, Sr., 5-5 G (12 ppg, 2.3 apg, 2.4 spg)

How many years have you coached girls basketball? 20 years

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Determination.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Consistency.

Who are your team leaders? Taylor Chavez.

Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? Marissa Davis (a 6-1 freshman).

What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season? Having all the pieces come together in February.

Willow Canyon's Lexie Pumel (#33) is fouled byIronwood's Amelia Coker (#15) while driving to the basket on Nov. 30 at Ironwood High School in Glendale. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]

WILLOW CANYON WILDCATS

5A Northwest Region

2016-17 Record: 10-17 overall, 2-6 region (Lost to Ironwood in 5A play-in)

Coach: Brandon Scholtz (fourth year at Willow Canyon)

Top Returnees: Ali Denny, Jr., 5-10, F (7.6 ppg, 10 rpg, 2.2 spg); Lexie Pumel, Sr., 5-9, G/F (7.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.2 spg)

How many years have you coached girls basketball? This is my 10th season coaching and my fourth at Willow Canyon

What is your teams best attribute entering this season? Chemistry, the core group of girls on this roster have been playing together now for multiple years so they are starting to build that chemistry we have been working towards since they were freshman. They understand the system and rotations and hopefully the experiences they’ve been through the past couple years will benefit them now. Another part to that is the mindset the girls have now about what they are capable of as a team playing together the right way. They have a vision of what we can achieve and confidence in themselves and their teammates that we can get there.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? A couple of things, we have to over come injury (we lost our starting PG sophomore Ryan Dreyer to an ACL injury this summer) which means we need girls to step up and embrace new roles.  We have to be able to improve on our decision  making in transition, and making sure we limit our turnovers. Those are the main areas of focus we have early on in the season.

Who are your team leaders? We have three team captains this year, senior Lexie  Pumel and junior Emma Hanson and Ali Denny. All three have a been in the program for multiple years and have experience playing together. They have shown a commitment to not just improving themselves but improving the team as a whole. When we need someone to step up and make a play on either end of the floor the team looks towards those three individuals.

Who are new comers to the varsity squad that can make a difference? We have senior Catalina Ramirez who is new to the program this year and is someone right away we expect to take over an important role on the team and bring some depth to the post position.  We also have junior Kaylee Kriwer who is new to the program and has been a great addition to the team so far.

What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season? Qualifying for post season play last year was one of the goals we had for the team and even though we barely crept in at that 24th spot we made it. This years team is anxious to build off of that and create a new name and brand for what people consider Wildcat basketball. We have to be able to close out games and play the full 32 minutes with the same energy and intensity every game of the year regardless of opponents. Which means we will be relying on players coming off the bench to be that shot of energy we need throughout the season specifically sophomore Shelby Maher and senior Kayjah Evans. We need those spark plugs to come in and make the impact they are capable of.