BUTLER TWP - Bring back a third-year starter at point guard and a dominant center, and a team's outlook can't be all that bad.

Start three sophomores, and a team's outlook can't be all that good.

Or can it?

Butler's varsity girls basketball team enters this season with both of the above scenarios and the Golden Tornado are optimistic they can use them to extend their streak of six consecutive WPIAL playoff appearances.

"That's the immediate goal," second-year coach Dorothea Epps said. "Naturally, we'd like to go beyond that."

Butler will have to replace graduated guards Heather Spangler and Maria Klutinoty, and forward Danielle Koehring. Spangler is playing at Butler County Community College this season.

Three starters return, led by senior 5-foot-9 point guard Kelly Miller, who averaged 12 points and four assists per game in her first year at the point last year. Miller played at two-guard as a sophomore.

"How Kelly goes, we'll go," Epps said. "She's our catalyst. She goes out and plays hard every game. Her patience will be tested because we'll have younger girls on the floor with her."

One of the three starting sophomores is a returning varsity starter: 6-foot center Amy Achesinski, who averaged 14.5 points and nine rebounds per game.

"Amy has to keep working to get better," Epps said. "Last year, she was a surprise to everybody as a freshman. Now everybody knows all about her.

"Teams will be looking to come up with ways to stop Amy, probably double team her, and she'll have to respond to that."

Samantha Karns, a 5-10 junior, joins Achesinski at forward. Karns averaged nearly seven rebounds per game while becoming a starter last year.

"She's probably our best rebounder right now," Epps said. "She'll be more aggressive this year. Sam can really jump and can keep balls alive on the boards for us."

The two other sophomore starters are guards Maria Baroffio and Rachel Barry. Both were members of Butler's unbeaten freshman team last season.

"We had a lot of talent on that team," Epps said. "Both of these girls can score, but what they really bring is court savvy. They know what to do with the basketball."

Miller knows it's up to her to lead the team.

"I'm the one who's been around here for a while," she said. "The younger girls are going to look to me in pressure situations and I have to respond."

Top guards off the bench are junior Julie Ehrman, senior Kala Schnur - a part-time starter last year - and junior Ashley Nocera.Elizabeth Schultz, a sophomore, and senior Kate DeGeorge provide depth at forward."We have a lot of girls who can play," Epps said. "I expect to have a deep bench."Butler plays in a deep section as well. A talented Fox Chapel team joins a section that already includes Butler, New Castle, North Allegheny, Seneca Valley and Pine-Richland, along with improving North Hills and Shaler squads."We don't have any nights off," Epps said. "The top four make the playoffs and if we want to be one of them, we're gonna have to work at it."Every night, the team that wants it the most will be the team that wins.""It's going to be really close," Miller said of the section. "We have to stay cool and relaxed. The talent is here for us to win. We just have to go out there and execute."

2004-05 Girls ScheduleDec. 3-4-at Bethel Park Tip-Off Tournament; Dec. 6-KISKI AREA, 6 p.m.; Dec. 8-HAMPTON, 6 p.m.; Dec. 13-PINE-RICHLAND, 6 p.m.; Dec. 15-18-at Las Vegas Reebok Tournament; Dec. 20-at Fox Chapel, 6 p.m.; Dec. 22-SHALER, 6 p.m.; Dec. 28-29-BUTLER CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENTJan. 3-at Seneca Valley, 6 p.m.; Jan. 5-NORTH ALLEGHENY, 6 p.m.; Jan. 7-NORTH HILLS, 4:30 p.m.; Jan 11-at New Castle, 3:30 p.m.; Jan. 14-at Pine-Richland, 4:30 p.m.; Jan. 17-at North Allegheny, 6 p.m.; Jan. 21-FOX CHAPEL, 6 p.m.; Jan. 24-at Shaler, 6 p.m.; Jan. 28-SENECA VALLEY, 6 p.m.; Jan. 31-at North Hills, 6 p.m.Feb. 4-NEW CASTLE, 6 p.m.