The Lady Tigers basketball season is off to a roaring start as they prepare for the season, which has kicked off with a scrimmage and a few practices already down.

“We’re looking pretty good this season. It’s hard to tell since we haven’t had many practices, but we’re definitely improving and making progress,” said junior guard Emma Erlandson.

Sophomore center Maria Lee, and sister Olivia Lee, who is a senior, had similar thoughts about how the ball squad was looking.

“We have a strong core that will definitely be able to get in there and make things happen,” said Maria Lee, who is a returning sophomore.

“Our team is pretty close this year and the core of us have been playing together for awhile now, so  I think we will be a respectable team. Our defense works magic,” said senior guard Olivia Lee.

The girls have only had a few practices and are already about to start games for the year. With a little magic and a strong core the Tigers are looking to be a successful team.

The tigers recently had a scrimmage in the Black River Falls Sam Young gym that will help show them positives and the skills they need to work on.

“The scrimmage was decent, and it really helped us see what we would succeed at and what we needed to work on. It was beneficial in showing us where we can go from here,” said Lee.

The girls are going to have to be able to fill the shoes of the seniors that left the squad, but Erlandson is pretty confident the youngsters and returning players are capable of doing so.

”Well, there are five returning players from varsity: Olivia, Melinda, Katie, Maria and I. We lost quite a few seniors last year which leaves us with two seniors this season. Everyone of us is going to have to step up throughout the season, even the younger classmen have worked extremely hard so far as the season goes on,” said Erlandson.

Oliva Lee and Melinda Laudon are the two returning seniors and will bring years of experience to the Tigers.

The Tigers are optimistic about the 2011 season and have goals to reach their potential.

”Our main goal is probably just to get out there and show our true potential. We know we can do it–we just have to execute,” said Erlandson.

“Our goals for the season are to be competitive in our conference and to be tough contenders to play against. Kick some butt,” said senior leader Olivia Lee.

Olivia a senior is looking forward to the year and is ready to be a leader for the Tigers this year.

“It doesn’t really feel that different to be a senior, but it is kind of cool to be looked up to by the incoming freshmen and underclassmen. I enjoy taking on the leadership role,” said Lee.

Olivia played last year along side her sister who was a freshman at the time.

Maria was a freshman who played last year and knows what it feels like to be on varsity as a freshman.

“The freshmen this year that are at least partially playing varsity are Hayley Johnson, Sonny Cook, and Beth Pfaff,” said the taller Lee.

The freshman will have to pull their weight this year due to the lack of depth on the Tigers.

The girls basketball season is kicking off and they are hoping to get the support of the school and community.

”Come out and watch some girls basketball, the large crowds are always a good enviroment to play in,” said junior phenom Emma Erlandson.