Slowly but surely we're overcoming some conditioning issues. I don't think they were used to what I expect from them physically. We've been running a lot because they need to get their legs under them and be ready and able to last through five games if they have to.

I told the girls that I don't want their expectations for the year to be any lower than winning our district. Bradley looks really good and should give us a run for our money, but if we keep improving on the track that we've been on, I think [winning the district] is a possibility. I think we're going to upset some people as the season goes on.

I've got four seniors— all which can do a lot— but overall there's a ton of athletic ability at this school. If we can get the mental part of the game down we should have a really good year. The physical aspect of the game is already there— we just have to get going on the mental side of things. That should start picking up more as the season goes on.

To have four coaches in four years is tough. Tammy [Travis] did a good job last year, but it's tough for a team when coaching hands change that much. It's been hard for them to get to know me. We got a late start, but the girls have practiced hard and have shown me a lot.

The major issue here is the huge build in gasoline stocks. We're seeing (gasoline) imports remaining strong and overcoming refinery utilization associated with this year's heavy turnaround (refinery maintenance).

The greater difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.