In Mike Cassebaum’s first season as head coach, the Meadowview Lady Trojans jumped from three wins to 20 and earned a berth in the AISA’s final eight.

With all but one starter returning, the Lady Trojans plan to go even farther this season.

“We have had a really good off season,” Cassebaum said. “We worked hard.

They want to go back to the state.

They want to go farther into the state this year.”

Leading the charge will be junior Haley McIntyre. She averaged 24 points and 13 rebounds a game last season and was an all-area player.

“She bring a lot of athleticism and leadership,” Cassebaum said. “Every time she plays, she has two people guarding her but she still produces.”

McIntyre doesn’t get the job done alone.

The Trojans have experience and depth to help her to carry the load.

“She has a good supporting cast that feeds her the ball,” Cassebaum said. “They’re very unselfish.”

Junior Joani Lawrence is the Lady Trojans deep threat.

If teams double down on McIntyre inside, Lawrence will make them pay with the long ball.

Kasey Burton is a sophomore forward.

Ashton Smith will man the other forward spot.

“She’s really improved her game, she’s worked really hard,” Cassebaum said of Smith.

At point guard, Haley’s cousin Elyse is the starter.

“She’s a really steady ball-handler, she runs the show,” Cassebaum said. “She has a good shot, she just needs to shoot it a little more.”

With just 10 players on the team, Cassebaum will need all of them to help this year.

“We’re counting on all 10 of them, all of them are going to be important,” Cassebaum said.

The coach’s daughter, Mallory is a sophomore that will provide depth as well Sarah Biddle.

Katie Blackmon is the team’s only senior and will be the first player of the bench.

“We’re expecting a lot out of her,” Cassebaum said.

The Lady Trojans also have a pair of eighth-graders coming off the bench.

Deavan Aultman will see time down low while Haley’s sister Carol Ann will play the point.

“She doesn’t play like an eighth-grader,” Cassebaum said.

The Lady Trojans spent the off-season planning on not just returning to the state playoffs, but making some noise when they get there.

“If we play like we should, we should have a good shot,” Cassebaum said.

The Lady Trojans open their season Thursday night on the road at Marion Military Institute.