SPANISH FORT, Ala.—The girls basketball program at Spanish Fort has been in the lab, so to speak, working on the right chemistry for a 2013-14 team which must balance some new active ingredients with a solid core of returning—but, young—starters.

Few doubt the latest rollout of Lady Toros—without any seniors and without long time go-to girl Elaine Wood (1,000 career points) who graduated in May—will have a new flavor, feel and focus. But their coach is excited about the latest edition ready to hit the floor this week.

“My sophomore returners (India James, Avery Estes, A.C.  Whaley, and Zoe McVay) worked hard over the summer and have improved tremendously,” said head coach Angi Puckett. “The experience they had at the varsity level last year has paid dividends into their confidence and composure heading into this season. The new players we added to our roster (6-foot junior center Jeanette Baldwin and 5-foot-10 junior guard Olivia Swan) are my only upper class-men. No seniors this year.”

Puckett said her point guards will be 5-foot-10 sophomore Victoria Morris and 5-foot-4 freshman Rose Gul.

“Our 4 new players are welcomed additions to a crew of scrappy tough-minded returners,” she said. “We added three strong guards to our roster who will help with our up-tempo, scrappy style of play and a 6-foot post to help us on the boards. Our success this season will be determined by the work ethic and intensity that we bring to practices and games and our ability to pull together as a young team.”

The team finished last season at 11-15 overall and 2-4 in a tough 5A Area 2 field. Their first game is tonight at Fairhope at 6 p.m. The first home game for the SFHS Lady Toros will be in  their Tip Off Tournament Thursday (Nov. 7) and Saturday (Nov. 9).

The four team tournament will feature Satsuma, Vigor, Flomaton and the Toros starting with Vigor vs. Flomaton at 6 p.m. followed by SF vs. Satsuma 7:30 p.m. at The Fort.