FOXBURG - The A-C Valley girls basketball team took a step in the right direction last season.

But second-year coach Pat Kerlin doesn't want his squad to stop there.

After a dreadful 2002-03 campaign in which the Falcons posted a 2-22 record, Kerlin took over last year and led the team to an 8-16 finish.

If the Falcons can duplicate that six-win improvement, they'd be looking at a 14-win season.

"I definitely think that is a possibility," said Kerlin. "We ended with eight wins last season, but could've had more. We had several close losses."

The biggest reason for Kerlin's optimism is the return of last season's top two scorers: junior forward Annie Hickman (11 points per game) and senior guard Cassie Morrison (8.2).

Hickman was second among Butler County players last year with 42 three-pointers.

The veteran leadership will be needed on a team that includes four freshmen who will dress for varsity games.

"The younger girls really look up to (Morrison and Hickman)," said Kerlin. "Both of them have good court awareness and are showing the other players where they need to be on the floor.

"Plus it's always nice to have your top two scorers back."

Morrison, who ran the show at point guard last year, will move to shooting guard this season.

Battling to fill her spot are juniors Alisa Snyder and Sara Doran.

Snyder did letter last only 11 points.

There's also a question mark at the small forward position, where juniors Jennie Kaufman and Jacque Kriley are competing to start.

"No matter how the two battles going on right now turn out, it means we will have two solid players coming off the bench," said Kerlin. "In fact, I plan on being able to look down the bench this season and see four girls who can step in and contribute.

"That wasn't the case last year," he added. "And that was partly my fault. I just didn't have the confidence to put different girls in during certain situations."Kristen Sloan, a 5-foot-11 junior, will begin the season as the starting center. Sloan saw limited varsity action last season.The Falcons will open most games using a man-to-man defense."We might switch to zone, just like we did last year, depending on the situation," said Kerlin.With the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference being revamped with six former District 10 schools, A-C Valley was placed in the same division as East Forest, West Forest, Rocky Grove and Venango Catholic.A-C VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL2004-05 Girls ScheduleDec. 3-4-at Reynolds Tip-Off Tournament, 6 p.m.; Dec. 8-at Clarion, 6:30 p.m.; Dec. 10-KARNS CITY, 6 p.m.; Dec. 14-CLARION-LIMESTONE, 6 p.m.; Dec. 15-COMMODORE PERRY, 6 p.m.; Dec. 17-VENANGO CATHOLIC, 6 p.m.; Dec. 21-at East Forest, 6 p.m.; Dec. 23-REDBANK VALLEY, 6 p.m.; Dec. 27-28-at Punxsutawney Tournament, 3 p.m.Jan. 5-CRANBERRY, 6 p.m.; Jan. 7-at Rocky Grove, 6 p.m.; Jan. 11-at West Forest, 6 p.m.; Jan. 14-at Union, 6 p.m.; Jan. 19-KEYSTONE, 6 p.m.; Jan. 21-at Moniteau, 6 p.m.; Jan. 25-NORTH CLARION, 6 p.m.; Jan. 31-KARNS CITY, 6 p.m.Feb. 1-WEST FOREST, 6 p.m.; Feb. 4-at Venango Catholic, 6 p.m.; Feb. 9-EAST FOREST, 6 p.m.; Feb. 11-at North Clarion, 6 p.m.