IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers FAST BREAK—Royal High's Heather Tomaszewski, center, races the court for defensive position as Kelsie Oberender pushes the ball up the floor during Monday's practice session at RHS. The girls' basketball squad at Royal High has a new look this season, but the team still has the same goal as in years past—a Marmonte League championship.

Two seasons ago, RHS shared a league title with Newbury Park and Moorpark. Last season, the Highlanders played even better by going 22-5 overall and 13-1 in league to earn an outright title.

Unfortunately for Royal, the majority of the players on those teams have graduated. The Highlanders' top four scorers from last season are gone, including Erika Ward, who was the 2008 Marmonte League Player of the Year.

The Highlanders only return three players—sophomore guards Kaity Lykins, Gabbi King and Chelsea Jacoby.

"We're very young this season," head coach Mike Kohl said. "There is a lot of talent, however, and we have a lot of time to mature.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers SWAT TEAM—Highlander Gabbi King, right, just misses a block against Morgan Tinkham. "All three of our returning sophomores are very talented players. They each have their own way of playing. It's my job to help give them insights on the game and teach them the fundamentals or anything else they need to develop."

Royal defeated Burroughs High 55-39 on Wednesday night and entered Thursday's game against El Camino Real with a 1-1 record.

Lykins said Royal shouldn't be considered favorites to win the league because of its youth, but she still believes the team can be successful.

"We're underdogs this year, but our ultimate goal remains the same," Lykins said. "We want to win league. It just feels different this year with so many new players. We have to come in with a different mindset as we develop a new identity."

King agreed.

"We have some big shoes to fill," King said. "We are young, but we do have a lot of talent, and we'll find a way to win before the season starts. We'll be able to play with anyone, and it should be a fun season."

Besides Lykins, Jacoby and King, other offensive weapons include junior center Destinee La Fountain and senior guard Ali Mosier. Mosier replaces Maddie Simpson, who has decided to focus on volleyball and won't return.

"It's tough losing Simpson, but Ali is a good player, too," La Fountain said. "She's a really good defender, and even though she is a guard she can defend taller people very well, too."

The rest of the roster includes Monica Schmidt, Kelsie Oberender, Aubrey Mittel, Amanda Soper, Heather Tomaszewski and Morgan Tinkham.

Another reason the Highlanders believe they will compete is their head coach.

"Coach Kohl is a good coach," La Fountain said. "If we do something wrong, he's going to get on us right away and make sure we do it right. But since he does that we know he really cares about this team and our progress."

Jacoby said she likes Kohl because he's given the team a fresh start after losing early in the playoffs last year to Jordan.

"We lost in the first round of the playoffs last year, but as a team we're not thinking about that anymore," Jacoby said. "Coach Kohl has said we don't have a lot to live up to with last year's team. He's given us fresh new beginnings. His motto has been to play hard, play smart and play together."

Lykins believes the Highlanders will sneak up on their opponents.

"I've heard talk that we're not going to be anywhere near as strong as last year because we lost so many people," Lykins said. "I feel like we're going to get a lot of payback on those people."