The Vian Lady Wolverines were 5-20 last season, but as a new season is upon us there’s some newness on this year’s basketball team.

For starters, the coach is new, sort of, as Vian boys coach John Mays will take over the program after former coach Tina Ramos was reassigned in the spring and is now the assistant coach with the Roland Lady Rangers.

Mays will welcome experience to this year’s team as five players with a lot of varsity playing time in 2022-23 are back this season. The lone senior back from a season ago is forward Skyelar Locust (3.7 points and 7.1 rebounds a season ago). Juniors returning are forward Avery Wright (8.3, 4.3), guard Kala Gibbins (two, 2.1) and forward Rebel Simon (four, three), while Rayleigh Terrill is the lone sophomore starter back (three, four).

After taking two years off, senior Maisie Wells is returning to the hardwood.

Other players who saw game time last year are Jaden Frazier, Kalli Kennedy, Annie Neal, Kiah Richardson and Halli Russell. Rounding out the roster are LaKaila Drew, Shelbie Glass, Hanna Mattingly, Cassidee Postoak, Tina Rautenberg and Aliyah Tucker.

“We bring back most of the players back from last year, so we will compete this year,” Mays said. “I think we will be better just because of our age and confidence. The kids are working hard to get better.”

Mays said with the amount of players back this year, the top team strength will be depth.

“We brought everyone back, so we have lots of experience,” he said.

However, one big obstacle will be getting the players to believe they can win after last year’s disappointing five-win campaign.

“Our confidence is down due to a couple of down years, but we’re going to have to learn to go out there and compete,” Mays said.