Back to Breslin: the only thing on the minds of the girls basketball team. Even after finishing with a 22-2 record and going into the playoffs as the  number two team in the state, South was still unhappy with how the season ended, head coach Kevin Richards said.

After only losing one senior, South still remains with most of the same girls as last year. Having the same leaders and playmakers is a key component to the team being successful this year, Richards said.

“We got the pieces. We have great leadership, and we have a great backcourt,” Richards said. “This is the deepest team we have had.”

The loss to Mercy in the regional semi-finals last year is big motivation to work even harder. Over the offseason, the players have worked hard in the gym and on their game, captain Cierra Rice ’15 said.

“As a team, we have been doing summer camps, playing together in leagues and doing morning workouts,” Rice said.

Rice said she recently signed to University of Illinois for the 2015 season and can not be more excited. Illinois wasn’t the only school to look at Rice; Dayton, Minnesota, Auburn and Michigan also tried recruiting her, Rice said.

“I loved my visit to Illinois and knew it was my favorite school,” Rice said. “When I compared it to my other visits, I knew Illinois was the right school for me.”

The whole team was excited about the news of Rice’s commitment and all supported her when she officially signed, guard Anna Carmody ’16 said.

“We were really excited and happy for her,” Carmody said. “She is always working hard and definitely deserves it.”

Watching Rice progress over the last three years, Richards is extremely proud of her, not only as a player but academically as well.

“She is a model student and athlete at South,” Richards said. “South should be proud of her of what she has accomplished in her three years.”

Fundamentally, center Benna Ames ‘16  has the potential to be the best post player in the league, Richards said. Ames has developed as a player over the summer by working hard on her strength and playing on a club team.

“I’ve worked on getting stronger and improving my game during AAU,” Ames said.

South will play its first game tonight against Chandler Park. They are not as worried about the other team as much as their own; injuries amongst players can cause major challenges, Richards said.

“We’re more worried about us,” Richards said. “We are a little banged up and just trying to get healthy.”

With the same players and same team chemistry, South believes that they have the potential to win the state championship. Every player’s goal is to return to Breslin and nothing less, Rice said.

“I expect to go to the Breslin Center and win a state championship,” said Rice.