While the future of Butler's Olivia Bresnahan, left, lies at Florida State, she's focusing on leading the Golden Tornado on an extended tour through the playoffs.

Butler County area girls basketball offers a little bit of everything for the 2009-10 season.

Individual standouts, such as Butler's Olivia Bresnahan and Grove City's Caitlin McNamara, are back.

Moniteau and Knoch return solid one-two punches. Slippery Rock brings back a full lineup that's already experienced success.

Here is a team-by-team preview:

<B>Coach: </B>Dorothea Epps, seventh year<B>Last Year:</B> 19-3The competitive fire still burns.The Golden Tornado had visions of a WPIAL championship last season before being upset by Gateway in the first round of the Quad-A playoffs."To fall so short of a goal like that really hurt," Epps said. "These girls haven't forgotten. The WPIAL championship, then the state championship, those are the goals."Butler has seven seniors on its roster and has lost only one starter, Jenna Manuel (12 ppg.), to graduation. Point guard Olivia Bresnahan and guards Casie Cygan and Casey Fleeger are returning starters.Amanda Dymun is another returning starter, though she will miss the first few games while recovering from knee surgery. Ali Sedwick, a junior, would be a starter, but is out until January while recovering from her own knee surgery."I've been here eight years and six of those were affected by injuries," Epps said. "I'm proud of the fact that when girls in this program are called upon, they step up and deliver."Butler's other three seniors, Becky Nowacki, Katresa Savisky and Emily Wise, should see significant playing time."We're counting heavily on our seven seniors and some of them didn't see much varsity time as juniors," Epps said. "We have talent behind them, but we're very young otherwise."Bresnahan averaged 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists and six steals per game last year and recently signed a letter of intent with Florida State."Olivia's much more relaxed now because she can concentrate on playing the game she loves," Epps said. "I think she's going to have a big season."

<B>Coach:</B> Bill Burkart, third year<B>Last Year:</B> 9-13The Yellowjackets were a very young team last season with two seniors and a lot of underclassmen and still qualified for the WPIAL Class AA playoffs with a 7-7 record in Section 1-AA.Oddly enough, this year's squad is still young, with only one senior — 5-foot-6 forward Erica Carnahan — on the roster."Anytime you get to prolong the season, even if it's for one week, it benefits the program," said Burkart. "It was a big step. We're still a young team. This is my third year, so I'm still young."Next year, you could say we're mature. We didn't fare well in the playoffs (a 40-point loss to Greensburg Central Catholic), but still we made the playoffs," he added.Carnahan will be joined in the starting rotation by three-year starters in junior guard Anna Christy (6.8 points, 4.0 assists per game) and junior forward Nicolette Blake (3.5 ppg).Sophomore forward Jessica McFadden (4.6 ppg) also returns as a starter and sophomore forward Taylor Schrecengost will round out the starting five."I expect a lot from them and we are building a bench," Burkart added.The Yellowjackets will have six juniors and six sophomores as well as some freshmen who could contribute."We have some young girls we expect to come up and play," Burkart added.

<B>Coach: </B>Rob Greenleaf, first year<B>Last Year: </B>15-9One look at the championship banners on the walls of the Knoch gym told Greenleaf the goal of his debut season with the Knights."They haven't won a (section) title here since 1972," Greenleaf said. "I know we're not the favorite to win it this year, but I see six of the seven teams in this section with a shot at the playoffs."The section is up for grabs. Winning it has to be the goal."The Knights return two starters in senior guard-forward Hannah Novotny and senior point guard Haley Hutterer. The two other seniors on the squad — guard Taylor Tresatti and post player Emily Protzman — figure to be starters as well.The fifth starter will come from a number of guards — Taylor Zonts, Haley Williams, Shelly Isherwood and Samantha Logan among them."We have a lot of girls who can play," Greenleaf said. "Heather Cooper and Julia Kleinfelder give us depth inside and Kate Miller can really shoot the ball."Knoch graduated its two big post players: Laura Gray and Sara Montgomery."That will affect how we play defense," Greenleaf said. "We'll have to play more man-to-man defense, though these girls know zone so well that I'm sure we'll use some of that, too."With a new coach, there will be growing pains. We want to be playing our best basketball at the end of the year."

<B>Coach: </B>Tony Howard, third year<B>Last Year:</B> 19-7A new season brings with it a new look for the Planets.The program lost four seniors, including Lily Grenci, the team's top scorer (23.6 ppg) and rebounder (10.5) from last season, and Kehle Pelles, who averaged 9.4 points and six boards."Last year, we knew where we had to go with the ball," said Howard. "This year, it could be a different girl leading us in points each night."Point guard is solidified with the return of junior Alexa Lee, who put up 5.6 points per game in 2008-09, when she led the team with 21 three-pointers.Lee will be a key cog in the Planets' new strategy on both ends of the floor."We don't have the size that we did last year, but we are quick," said Howard. "Last season, we had a very methodical offense. This year, we'll try to come at teams full court. Defensively, we don't want to let teams set (their offense) up."The rest of the projected starting lineup should include shooting guard Ashley Lynch (2.6 ppg), and forwards Meghan Kelly, Elaine Hasek (4.6) and Kelsey Pelles, who missed most of last season with a leg injury.Lizz Tumminello, Carly Clark and Corinne Gressang will see key minutes off the bench."I like Lizz's versatility, she can play guard and forward," said Howard. "(Clark) could become a solid 3-point shooter for us and we'll use Corinne with our full-court defense because she's a really good athlete."Mars went 19-7 overall last season and earned WPIAL and PIAA playoff berths."We definitely want to get back to the playoffs, but right now I just want the girls to mesh," Howard said.

<B>Coach:</B> Mark Yeager, ninth year<B>Last Year:</B> 17-7Mark Yeager has gone out of the prediction business.The Warriors' coach returns three starters — two who averaged in double figures last year — and hopes to reap some benefits from last season's undefeated freshman team."We've got some experience and a lot of talented players, but our young players are raw," Yeager said. "I used to be big into goals and predictions, but you can't control that kind of stuff."Two years ago, we had a talented team but a load of injuries and went 7-17. Last year, we stayed healthy and went 17-7. Now we have two girls already out with injuries this year."Factor that in with how good our league is. I know how hard the coaches in the KSAC work and there's going to be plenty of good teams," Yeager added.Returning starters for Moniteau are seniors Alex Guercio (14.3 points, 8 rebounds per game), Jenna McCorry (11.6 ppg.) and Kathleen Harding. A fourth senior — Jaryn Beatty — is recovering from knee surgery and is out until January.Two sophomores round out the starting five: 6-foot-1 center Kate Brehm and guard Amanda Sloan. Another sophomore guard, Brittany Wright, figures to see playing time early but has torn ligaments in a thumb and is out until January."Kathleen was a forward last year, but we're moving her outside to get three guards on the floor," Yeager said. "We're strong at the guard position. Kate is the first 6-footer I've had in my nine years here."

<B>Coach:</B> Adrienne Orris, fourth year<B>Last year:</B> 17-8For the first time in two seasons, the Rockets will have a senior night at the end of the campaign.A group that has started since their freshmen seasons is all grown up now, are seniors and ready to cash in on their huge potential."I haven't had the opportunity to use the word 'senior' for three years," Orris said.Coming off back-to-back 17-win seasons and with a team oozing with talent at every position and on the bench, the time is now for Slippery Rock.The Rockets will start five seniors and will have a sixth coming off the bench.Karly Rhoads, who surpassed 1,000 career points and averaged 17.8 points per game last season, will run the show again at point guard.Her twin sister, Kourtney, averaged 11.9 points per contest and led Butler County with 56 3-pointers.Toss in shot-blocking machine Adele Campbell, do-everything Sarah Cessar, gritty Ali Doyle and superb sixth-man Taylor Crocker, and the Rockets are as experienced as any team around."The chemistry is there," Orris said.And so are the expectations.Despite that, Orris senses a team that is happy-go-lucky."It's strange, but if you would have asked me three years ago at what level the pressure would have been for this season, I would have said it was going to build every year and be highest now," Orris said. "It's not that way. Really, this team has had pressure on it for three years. They are used to it."Orris loaded up her non-region schedule with powerhouses in the hopes it will prepare the Rockets for a playoff run.Last year, that run was abruptly and painfully ended by Franklin in the consolation round of the district playoffs following a 26-point loss to General McLane.Orris plans to savor this season, her last with a group she coached when they came up as freshmen four years ago."I'm just proud of these girls," Orris said. "We had tears and laughs."

<B>Coach: </B>Rob Lombardo, first year<B>Last Year:</B> 4-18Lombardo's first season as head coach of the Raiders officially begins Friday, but he's already put his stamp on the program.The Raiders had just 15 players combined between varsity and junior varsity by the end of last season.After three seasons as head coach, Kelly Mathews stepped down and Lombardo was approved for the position in May."Basketball needs to be fun again at Seneca Valley," said Lombardo. "This past summer, we had 29 girls in wanting to play, so the numbers are up."Three players are looking to share the point guard position: junior Kara Moyer, sophomore Karlei Fronzaglio and freshman Amanda Geiger."Karlei will probably start, but they'll all see playing time," said Lombardo.The team's offense and defense will be different from what the Raiders are used to."On offense, we're going to run the floor, spread the floor, penetrate and kick," said Lombardo. "Defensively, we're going to play a lot of full-court press and half-court traps. When we do press, (senior guard) Gabby Allen will usually be out there. She's very quick," he added.Senior Beth Talarico and junior Alyssa Miller, the team's top returning scorer at 8.6 points per game, will see time at shooting guard.A combination of juniors Angie Lalonde and Brie Sieminski, and sophomores Alex Karika and Dani Fitzgerald will comprise SV's front court, which is small, with Karika the team's tallest player at 5-feet-9."We're going to have to fight tooth and nail to get it, but our goal is to somehow, some way get that fourth playoff spot out of the section."

<B>Coach:</B> Lane Larimore, third year<B>Last Year:</B> 5-17Larimore had his starting lineup all figured out — or so he thought.The team recently learned that an illness will bench senior guard Shayla Bartley for the season.Another senior, guard-forward Erin Larimore, recently broke two fingers on her right hand in a flag football game.Larimore led A-C Valley with 12.1 points per game last year and is the team's top returning rebounder at 5.1 per game."The doctor said Erin will be out 4 to 8 weeks," said Coach Larimore. "This was the first year we had our starting five figured out entering the season, but then two of those players are taken away. Now we're back where we were the last couple years."The Falcons do know who will be starting at three positions.Returning letterwinners Tricia Kerlin, Meghan Cratty and Mikyla Denchke will be at point guard, forward and center, respectively.The trio combined to record 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in 2008-09."(Denchke) has more raw talent than any girl I've seen," said Coach Larimore. "She's 5-feet-10, but can beat anybody down the floor."The other two spots in the lineup, I really can't say," he added. "They're up for grabs."Larimore is still hoping this year's team can move the program forward."If we can hover around .500 the first half of the year, I'd be satisfied," he said. "Hopefully, Erin will be back sooner than later."

<B>Coach:</B> Dave Kerschbaumer, fifth year<B>Last year:</B> 5-15The 2008-09 season was an unusual one for the Gremlins.A program that had experienced one losing season since 1997 suffered through a frustrating campaign that featured only five wins.Kerschbaumer isn't going to accept another losing season and he hopes the players won't, either."I think they want to come back and prove last year as a fluke, Kerschbaumer said. "We're going into this full out and let the chips fall where they may."While the Gremlins relied mostly on Ashley Campbell. who averaged 19.7 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior, to boost the offense the team will feature a more balanced attack.Campbell scored 49.2 percent of Karns City's points last season."We're not going to rely on one girl," Kerschbaumer said. "We won't have one standout girl above the rest. Girl one through 17 can contribute.While on paper this looks like a rebuilding year, Kerschbaumer said don't be fooled."I think we can sneak up on a few teams," Kerschbaumer said.

<B>Coach:</B> Josh Meeker, eighth year<B>Last Year:</B> 15-8Last year's first-round District 9 playoff loss was not the way the Damsels envisioned ending the 2008-09 season, but it could prove to be an eye-opener for this time.The team lost guards Lanae Cicciarelli and Courtney Frederick, but return three of its top four scorers: 5-foot-11 junior Tina Lipps (11.5 points per game) and 5-10 seniors Lepha Logue (9.3) and Brooke Pollock (8.0)."The eight losses were the most we've had in the past six- or seven-year span," said Meeker. "I expect us to be a lot better. Our key girls that are back have improved.""We have two 5-10 players and one 5-11, and we have to take advantage of that," said Meeker. "We're going to try and blend an up-tempo game with getting it inside. Even though they're tall, they are quick."Throw in junior guards Ashley MacKinlay and Mariah Winchester, and the Damsels have a strong starting five, even if MacKinlay and Winchester don't have the court experience."They didn't get a lot of playing time last year, but we had so many seniors," Meeker noted. "I think they'll shine. Our JV team lost only one game last year, so I'm expecting some good things."The plan is simple for the Damsels: Offense is good, but defense will be better."We were fourth in scoring average (in the KSAC), yet we had eight losses and got bumped in the first round," said Meeker. "How does that happen? We just gave up too many points."

<B>Coach:</B> T.L. Eller, fourth year<B>Last year:</B> 3-17Eller is in search of some offense.She has one of the most dynamic players in District 10, senior Caitlin McNamara, but if last year proved anything, McNamara can't do it alone.The guard scored 18.7 points per game, accounting for 66 percent of the Eagles' offense.That led to a frustrating three-win campaign.If Eller is going to get Grove City back competing for a playoff spot, the McNamara show must have some supporting actresses."It's just hard," Eller said. "(McNamara) is definitely not someone I'm worried about. She wants to win. I don't think her primary focus is 'How many points am I going to score?'"McNamara still will be a huge part of the offense, but Eller wants to see gaudy assist numbers to go along with the points.There may be some potential scorers in the mix this season.Mariah Jenkins has improved her offense over the summer and Kynisha Basham has returned after one year away.Eller believes both can add some scoring punch.The defense never has been a problem for the Eagles, who held teams to fewer than 45 points per game last season."Our defense is way ahead of our offense right now," Eller said. "We just have to play through it and hopging things. It's a process."Sports editor John Enrietto and staff writers Mike Kilroy, Derek Pyda and Sam Tallarico contributed to this report.

Moniteau's Alex Guercio, left, will be a starter for the 2009-10 Warriors.

Kourtney Rhoads of Slippery Rock High, who led Butler County with 56 3-pointers last season, returns to help lead a talented Rockets squad that finally has some seniors.