The Youngsville Lady Eagles enter the 2024-25 basketball season as the defending runners-up in District 10 Class A competition.

If they are going to get back to that level, it will be with a team that looks quite different from a season ago.

The Eagles return just four players from last year’s roster after losing a handful of seniors, including Molly Helman, Marissa VanGuilder, Zaylee Cressley, Lynzee Higley and Charleigh Archuleta.

Despite the team’s turnover, second-year head coach Morgan Cook-Haibach thinks this team has the ability to build upon the foundation created by last year’s group.

“We will never replace those girls,” said Cook-Haibach. “They helped lay the foundation for this program. Now, we just need to build off it.”

Assisted by Kylie Cook-Haibach, Tawny Crocker and Tessa Ward, Youngsville will be looking to improve on its 7-16 mark from a season ago. That run ended in the D-10 Class A Girls title game where they were beaten by Jamestown (PA).

“Our team goal is to make progress as individuals and as a group,” said Cook-Haibach. “We have so much new talent and as coaches we plan to just help them learn the ins and outs of the game the best we can.”

While a great deal of the team’s experience was lost to graduation, Youngsville does return its leading scorer from last season in junior Riley Robinault. As a guard, Robinault averaged just over 14 points per game in 2023-24.

Other returning players include juniors Natalie Ross and Kahlynne May as well as sophomore Maiah Konen-Smith.

Youngsville’s roster includes a great deal of new players, including a pair of new seniors, a sophomore and five incoming freshmen.

The team’s new seniors are Kennedy Allen and Cassidy Britton while the new sophomore is guard Lilly Jespersen. The ninth-grade class includes guards Maci Benton, Haley Kent and Shay Reilly and forwards Kaylee Huffman and Peytynn Kirby.

“These girls are going to have to give everything they have every single day,” said Cook-Haibach. “We are rebuilding which means we have to start at square one and slowly work our way up. It’s going to take a lot of patience and hard work but I know as a team we’re capable of anything.”

Cook-Haibach added that one of the team’s short term goals has already been met this season.

“In my eyes, these girls are already a huge success for their school and community,” she said. “The fact that many of these girls have never played is so admirable. These young ladies are willing to come together and learn an entirely new sport just so their school can be successful.

“That shows more heart and dedication that I’ve seen before so I can’t wait to see their progress as the season goes on,” she continued. “Our motto this year is to do the little things right so the big things can take care of themselves. This basketball team is going to make a statement this year and I am honored to be a part of it.”

The Lady Eagles are competing in Region 2 this season alongside Class A teams Jamestown (PA) and Commodore Perry as well as Class AA teams Rocky Grove, Cochranton, Saegertown, Maplewood and Cambridge Springs.

The season begins Friday at the Forest Area Tip-off Tournament.

Here is the Lady Eagles’ 2024-25 schedule. Home games are in CAPS with region contests marked with an asterisk.

Friday, December 6- at East Forest Tip-off Tournament, TBD

Saturday, December 7- at East Forest Tip-off Tournament, TBD

Tuesday, December 10- EISENHOWER, 6 p.m.

Thursday, December 12- COMMODORE PERRY*, 6 p.m.

Monday, December 16- at Rocky Grove*, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, December 18- NORTH CLARION, 6 p.m.

Thursday, December 19- SAEGERTOWN*, 6 p.m.

Friday, December 27- at Iroquois Tournament, TBD

Saturday, December 28- at Iroquois Tournament, TBD

Monday, January 6- at Jamestown(PA)*, 6 p.m.

Thursday, January 9- MAPLEWOOD*, 6 p.m.

Monday, January 13- at Cambridge Springs*, 6 p.m.

Thursday, January 16- at Cochranton*, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, January 22- at Forest Area, 6 p.m.

Thursday, January 23- at Commodore Perry*, 6 p.m.

Monday, January 27- ROCKY GROVE*, 6 p.m.

Thursday, January 30- at Saegertown*, 6 p.m.

Monday, February 3- JAMESTOWN(PA)*, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, February 5- FOREST AREA, 6 p.m.

Thursday, February 6- at Maplewood*, 6 p.m.

Monday, February 10- CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS*, 6 p.m.

Thursday, February 13- COCHRANTON*, 6 p.m.