JUDA — After finishing 8-13 overall and 4-8 in conference play last season, the Panthers are eager to improve.

But the team is young and lacks depth. First-year coach Willie Nelson knows there will be some growing pains along the way.

“Our depth this year is low, so I hope that the girls give it their all during the year,” Nelson said. “I expect to be competitive in all of the game. I understand we are a very young team with only three returning letter winners, so we have a lot of learning curves that will be coming upon us during the season. Being a first-year coach with the team, I will also have some learning to do.”

Junior guard Montana Steinmann returns after scoring 9.3 points per game a season ago. She’ll be joined in the starting rotation by senior Hannah Powers (3.8 ppg) and Taylor Golackson (2.5 ppg). New to the varsity squad will be sophomore guard Maddie Smith and junior forward Triniti Elmer.

“Maddie is a good ball handler with a good drive. I could see her excelling this year both outside and under the rim,” Nelson said. “Triniti’s ambition is second to none. She doesn’t ever give up on herself. She truly gives 100 percent every second that she is on the court.”

Nelson believes that his guard play in the post will be an advantage the Panthers can use, but it all will come down to depth and confidence.

“Since we are a very young team, we will hit some lows,” Nelson said. “We need to find confidence in ourselves to win games and not fall behind.”