The growing pains will be evident but Morristown girls basketball head coach Rachel Kleine does not see her young squad backing down from a challenge.

“We are getting better day by day,” said Kleine, entering her fifth season as Morristown head coach. “I think the kids believe in themselves. They are coming in early and staying late. They want to get better and they are putting the time in.”

Morristown graduated a trio of seniors that averaged 25 points per game. Kleine looks for that production to come from a variety of players ready for an opportunity.

“It really is going to be next man up,” said Kleine. “It’s time for some kids that are really capable of putting the ball in the hole and scoring.”

Senior guard Gracie Laster averaged 6.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last season in limited minutes because of an injury. Kleine believes with good time management practices, Laster can contribute more playing time which would lead to more offensive production.

“I think her past stats are not what you think because she only plays about half a game,” explained Kleine. “She had a great summer of basketball and has stepped up and taken on some of the scoring initiative.”

Junior Reagan Kleine was Morristown’s third-leading scorer last season behind older sister Rylee Kleine (12 ppg, 6 rpg) and Emma Theobald (11.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg).

“She ended the season on a high note playing really well in the sectional,” said Rachel Kleine. “She can get to the rim and she is extending her (shooting) range out past the three-point line. She is starting to see herself as an outside shooter.”

Delaney Cornn is the only other senior in the program. A defensive specialist in years past, Kleine sees Cornn (3.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg last season) taking on more offensive responsibilities this season.

“Over the summer she had some nice takes to the basket,” said Kleine. “She is more of a scorer now.”

Junior forward Maggie Lutes is another returning starter that may be the most improved player on the roster.

“She has been a defensive specialist who took on any assignment we’ve asked of her,” said Kleine. “This summer and fall, she has stepped up and chipped away at some of the points missing this season. She has been great working on her drive, her shot and her confidence.”

Sophomore Alexia Rogers will have an expanded backcourt role this season as the point guard and off guard.

Freshmen Nevaeh Sanders and Danika Rutledge will get varsity minutes early in the season.

Morristown has 14 players in the program which means time management will be key to shuffling players between junior varsity and varsity minutes.

The Yellow Jackets open the season Thursday at home against Eastern Hancock.

Morristown will host Henryville Saturday in its opening game of the Kopper Kettle Classic.

Seven more November games follow the tournament and includes a home game against Shelbyville on Nov. 13 and a girls/boys doubleheader with Triton Central on Nov. 24.

“We talk to the kids about fundamentally being disciplined,” said Kleine. “We’re young. We are trying to get some of these young girls to stay disciplined and learn. Right now we need to get game minutes in for these girls, learn our rotations and grow in confidence.”

Morristown will face Shelby County rivals Waldron on Dec. 10 and Southwestern four days later.

All three of its opponents in the Shelby County Tournament are state ranked in preseason polls.

Three teams also are preseason ranked in Morristown’s sectional tournament.