Some familiar players graduated, but it’s not going to be a rebuilding year for the Basalt girls basketball team, according to second-year head coach Terry Kappeli.”We have the same talent as last year and a great mix of height and speed,” Kappeli said of the 2004-05 Longhorns.Which could mean another trip for Basalt to the 3A state tournament in March.Kappeli has plenty of veteran leadership on the floor with three returning lettermen from last year’s fifth-place state tournament team.

Senior Deanna Spracher returns as Basalt’s point guard. The all-league honorable mention will be supported by another senior, Kelsea Mulcahy, in the post or at forward, along with juniors Lindsey Soucie and Allison Brumet. Brumet spent most of the 2003-04 season on the bench with an ankle injury.Mulcahy’s younger sister, Katie, a sophomore, is one of three starters from Basalt’s junior varsity team expected to make the jump to the varsity level this year. Joining her are guard Cassie Meyer, a starter on the Longhorns’ volleyball team, and Annie Schwener.Two freshmen, Emily Peetz and Dayne Toney, could also open the year with the varsity, Kappeli said.When it comes to being a fast-break or a half-court, offensive-styled team, the coach said, “We can do both.”

Kappeli said the 3A Western Slope League title will likely be a battle between four teams.”Its definitely up for grabs,” he said. “Basalt, Roaring Fork, Aspen and Cedaredge all are good teams.”And the ‘Horns will get a good test of their ability in their opener at Class 4A Rifle at 6 p.m. tonight.”We packed our schedule with a lot of 4A teams early so we can get motivated,” Kappeli explained.