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The Lely girls basketball team has four players who will do battle together for the last time this winter.

Until last year, folks in the know said “give them time — they are just freshmen, just sophomores.”

Their junior year, with the help of two seniors, they reached a milestone. They won a district championship. The first in 12 years. However, they fizzled in regional play.

As Victoria Howard, Chelsie Dangler, Stephanie Neill and Heather Chairez chat together, laugh together, sweat together this summer, they know this is the last time around.

So does their coach, Brandon Miller.

He knows he inherited a good team in 2007, a team with great potential. He nurtured them, not always in a cajoling manner, and they delivered.

Now can they take it a step further?

Miller is working them hard. Open gym four times a week and games on Wednesdays against some quality competition. Brian Johnessee, boys’ football strengthening coach, does the same for the girls.

The team lost their bruisers, seniors Joanne Pettithomme and Manolitha Joseph. But Miller says the team rebounding has looked good. He will be playing Howard closer to the basket to help with rebounding and to pick up some inside scoring.

Miller says the offense will go through Howard.

“She will be our force,” Miller says. “If our opponent concentrates on her our other girls will take over.”

Shiree Dangler, incoming freshman, looks like a lock to make varsity.

Chelsie’s sister, Miller says, “ has been consistent and I think she can hang with the big dogs.”

Forward Shelby Johnston played a lot as a sophomore and will be in the mix.

Chloe Huettel, a six-foot-two sophomore, will get her chance. Sophomore Brooke Ramirez plays with a lot of energy and Gally Delphonse, a senior, will be counted on for defense.

“The sense of urgency hasn’t kicked in yet, but as college coaches come watch them play and scholarships are on the line I think they will respond,” Miller says.