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FAIRFIELD TWP. — Last season, three players on the Cincinnati Christian girls' basketball team scored almost 90 percent of the team's points.

This year, the trio — senior Kirstie Runion, senior Taylor Flemming and sophomore Sarah Carroll — return to lead the Cougars, who are vying for an outright Miami Valley Conference title after winning a share of the crown last season.

CCS only loses two seniors from last year's 8-13 team.

"We have a summer camp during the month of June, conditioned three days a week since August," CCS coach Ken Bashford said. "We're ready to go. I feel like we'll be very competitive this season."

Backcourt

Runion (10.6 points per game, 3.8 assists per game), the Cougars' floor general, is coming off her third ACL surgery. With a thin bench, the team can ill-afford for Runion to get injured again.

The same goes for shooting guard Fleming (11.7 ppg, 2.5 steals per game), who can also handle the ball if need be.

"They bring a lot of experience," Bashford said. "They provide a great one-two punch outside."

Sophomore Heidi Larson, a transfer from Fairfield, and senior Bethany Lammers will come off the bench.

Frontcourt

Carroll averaged a double-double (13.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg) last season and earned team MVP honors. Here's a scary thought for opposing teams: athletes often improve the most between their freshman and sophomores seasons.

"I think (Carroll) is physically a lot stronger this season," Bashford said.

Senior forward Lindsay Bradds represents the fourth and final returning starter on the roster.

The two tallest players, 6-foot sophomore Amanda Richburg and 6-3 freshman Naomi Byrd, pose matchup problems but may still be works in progress.

"(Byrd) is a real unknown," Bashford said. "What she lacks in experience, she makes up in height."

Analysis

CCS is talented and experienced but lacks depth at this stage of the season.

"Right now we'll use a seven-player rotation," Bashford said. "It's not a lot, but we're in pretty good shape. We have a JV team we can draw from if need be."

A major key for this squad will be staying healthy. If they can, the Cougars' first winning season in five years could be a possibility.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5128 or edawisha@coxohio.com.