After a year in which the Bonney Lake girls basketball team made it to the second round of the sub-district tournament, hopes are high for the Panthers this season.

Despite the loss of key player Naomi Pounds and her 12 points per game, coach Thomas Ostrander is optimistic about his young team.

Ostrander said his top returner and key player to watch this season will be  the 5-foot-9-inch Mekenzie Voellger.

Also this year, the move toward youth that began last season with three starting freshman is expected to continue and Ostrander said the key to the season will be how the sophomores and freshman respond to the pressures of playing regularly.

Last season, the Panthers finished 7-16.