Castagnolo has the luxury of returning eight letterwinners to this year's team, many of whom can play multiple positions on the court, and Castagnolo hopes last year's experience will help turn things around.

"I'm very optimistic," said Castagnolo. "We only had one senior last year. These guys got a lot of playing time. They experienced a losing season and, hopefully, we can move forward. It's no fun to lose and they realize it. We're really working hard to have a good season.

"I think our biggest strength, besides our experience, is our versatility. I have 10 girls on the (varsity) roster, and many of them can change positions. ... The kids know it, and that's what we're really working on - the different combinations of the kids out there."

Senior Annie Janocko and juniors Amber Byerly, Elizabeth Peters, Madison Sopic and Jayme Ryan lead the list of returnees as two-time letterwinners, while senior Sarah Kovalick and juniors Angela Moore and Gwenn Porter have also earned letters.

Of the returning letterwinners, Castagnolo said Porter is the only player to have a definitive position locked up, as she'll begin the season at the Lady Bisons' point guard.

Moore and Kovalick will see time at the wings for Clearfield, while Peters and Byerly will primarily play underneath the hoop. Janocko, Ryan and Sopic are versatile enough to anywhere, according to Castagnolo.

Senior Jocelyn Schultz provides some depth in the post, while junior Lori Zalno will also see her share of action this season.

"All of the varsity girls are going to see a lot of time," Castagnolo said. "On any given night, it could be a different five starters. It just depends the talent we're going against, and that's how I'm going to match them up.

"They've all been around since they were freshmen, and they all understand the concept that we're trying to get across. It's just the chemistry I'm worried about. I've been stressing to them to just go out and play basketball. Sometimes they overanalyze things because they're all intelligent kids, we just want them to go play basketball and everything will fall into place."

About the only thing different for Clearfield this season is its schedule. The Lady Bisons have scrapped their tip-off tournament and have added a pair of games each against Harmony and Johnsonburg, which is just fine with Castagnolo.

"I'm happy with the schedule," said Castagnolo, who is being assisted by Jerry Stewart and Stan Solarczyk. "It's a nice change of pace instead of playing the same teams. I know the schools are little, but they're established basketball programs."

Clearfield opens its season against the two Class A schools, beginning with Johnsonburg at home on Dec. 8, which gives Castagnolo some more time to figure out a set lineup.

"It's hard," said Castagnolo said. "I'm trying to get the chemistry, and, so far, it hasn't gelled yet. Hopefully, we'll have another good week of practice and we'll be ready for our first game."

Roster - Seniors
*Annie Janocko, *Sarah Kovalick, Jocelyn Schultz.

Juniors
*Amber Byerly, *Angela Moore, *Elizabeth Peters, *Gwenn Porter, *Jayme Ryan, *Madison Sopic, Lori Zalno.

Sophomores
Sierra Grice, Johanna Ryan.

Freshmen
Lisa Ambuski, Julia Ammerman, Kristen Butler, Briana Ianaro, Mia Keener, Rachel Thompson.

*Denotes returning letterwinner.

Schedule - December
8-Johnsonburg; 15-at Harmony; 19-at St. Marys; 23-Bradford; 27-28-at Bald Eagle Area Tournament, TBA.

January
5-Philipsburg-Osceola; 6-at Brookville; 9-DuBois; 13-at Elk County Catholic; 16-St. Marys; 17-Union, 2:30 p.m.; 21-Punxsutawney; 23-at Bradford; 26-Harmony; 30-Brookville.

February
2-at Johnsonburg; 3-Elk County Catholic; 6-at DuBois; 9-at Curwensville; 11-at Punxsutawney; 13-at Ridgway.

All varsity games are set to begin at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.