Coach: Bethany Irwin (19th season)

Last year: 14-9, lost to Altoona in District 6 Class AAAA finals, lost to Bethel Park in PIAA first round

Assistant coaches: Rob Irwin, Kamil Kowal

Key losses: Alidia Strouse, Amber Devlin, Emily Vratarich, Emilee Eden, Courtney Nellis, Dani Sampsell, Elaine Tillotson

Returning letterwinners: Taylor Allison, Bridget King

Key newcomers: Anna Stevenson, Jenna Altomare, Allie Baney, Morgan Kaluza, Meghan Karstetter, Carrie Mahon, Jalyn Shelton- Burleigh, Franki Treglia, Ali Treglia

Notes: Bethany Irwin, one of just two Centre County girls’ coaches who has been with the same team for more than two seasons, has 320 wins at the Lady Little Lions’ helm and 354 career wins overall. ... The Lady Little Lions are practically starting over with the loss of over 90 percent of the team’s scoring from last season and no full-time returning starters. ... In addition to graduation, second-leading scorer Gina Torretti (12.4 ppg, 37 3-pointers) chose not to play this season. ... State College does not have any seniors on the roster this year, a first during Irwin’s tenure. ... The 23-girl roster does have 10 juniors, including three girls who have transferred to State College. ... Sophomore Bridget King played in all but four games last season and is the top returning scorer (2.5 ppg). ... Only other player with experience is junior guard-forward Taylor Allison. ... Other newcomers who figure to impact the varsity are junior guards Anna Stevenson, Jenna Altomare and Allie Baney, and junior forwards Morgan Kaluza and Meghan Karstetter. Sophomore Carrie Mahon and freshman Jalyn Shelton- Burleigh also are new, as are transfers Franki and Ali Treglia. ... Season schedule should be competitive again with games against teams from around the state in last year as an independent program. State College will join Mid-Penn League next year. ... Home schedule opens with new school Mifflin County (formerly Lewistown and Indian Valley) on Tuesday.

Coach Irwin says: “We’re all the same size. The ones that are consistent are the ones who will play with the varsity. We’re going to be trying new things this year because of the situation we’re in. The bottom line is playing consistently. Every game is going to be different, and we know we’ll be rotating some girls in, we just don’t know when.

“The group has been working in the offseason, and we’ve been having meetings once a week. When you have seniors, they are at that point where they know what we’re trying to do and everyone follows them. We’er not looking for one specific player to do that, just for them to find the right qualities and work together.”