As winter sports teams at Del Val start opening up their seasons, one squad stands out from last year: the Lady Terriers’ basketball team.

Last season, the Lady Terriers went 20-10, led by a strong group of senior veterans. This year, with only four seniors on the roster, the team has plenty to prove.

Seniors Klaudia Burke, Ally Moschberger, Peyton Dierker and Maggie Simpson will provide the much needed leadership for the team.

“Moving to this season, we will be young and not have much varsity experience,” said head coach Ben Ibach.

However, Coach Ibach doesn’t see this as a disadvantage. Instead, he views it as an opportunity for his players to grow. And, for the first week of practice, the team has been doing just that.

“The girls have been doing a great job of this during the first couple days of practice,” Ibach said. “I like the energy and effort that they are practicing with.”

Having less of an experienced team also opens up spots for underclassmen to step up. Juniors Allison Harvey, Raeesah Roberson and Nya Altmaier and sophomores Rylee Hintenach and Riley Liskowacki are players that Ibach believes will contribute to the Lady Terriers’ successes. Freshmen Quinn Walker, Aaro Ulvi and Josalyn Croasdale are some newcomers that Ibach sees as being successful on the team.

Senior Maggie Simpson is excited for the season and for the team to grow.

“This season I think we have a well rounded team with a lot of potential,” Simpson said. “Even though we graduated a lot of valuable players, I believe we can still be a powerful team and I am looking forward to what this season will bring.”

The Lady Terriers opened up their season at Warren Hills on Dec. 16 and will have their home opener on Dec. 20 at 11:30 a.m. against West Windsor Plainsboro South.