At first glance, it would appear that the John A. Logan College women’s basketball team would be well stocked with experience as there are eight sophomores on a roster of 14.

But a closer look reveals a distinct lack of experience.

DaLita Scott is the only returning starter for the Lady Volunteers, who finished 14-16 a year ago. The 5-foot-10 forward out of Hammond, Ind. averaged 11.4 points and five rebounds per game and will be the focal point of the offense this year. Scott was named to the Great Rivers Athletic Conference and All-Region 24 teams as a frosh.

Devin London (5-foot-7 guard from Chicago’s Rich East High), Sherita Stanley (5-foot-9 forward out of Minden, La.), Allison Powell (6-foot-2 center from Massac County) and Katelyn McMahan (5-foot-9 guard from Cobden) all sustained serious injuries last year and missed substantial playing time. The four sophs combined barely played one full season of basketball last year.

London and Stanley are trying to make it back from season-ending knee injuries. Powell is rebounding from a broken ankle and McMahan from a damaged tendon in her foot.

Two other sophs, Tiffany Williams (5-foot-4 guard out of Gallatin County) and Megan Phillips (5-foot-7 guard from South Bend, Ind.), saw limited playing time as freshmen.

The only other sophomore with game experience is Jordan James, a 5-foot-8 guard who transferred to Logan over the summer from Barton County (Kansas) Community College.

Six freshmen will likely make their presence felt with this team, led by Marty Hawkins, now in his 12th year as head coach, and assisted by Metropolis native Amanda Buldtman (third year).

Haley Hewit is a 5-foot-4 point guard out of Sharpsville, Ind. Cheshi Poston is a 6-foot-2 forward from Simeon High in Chicago. Sasha Warmington is a 6-foot forward from Kitchener, Ontario. Sydney Streator is a 6-foot-2 center out of Rich East High in Chicago. Ka’Daizha Benjamin is a 5-foot-9 forward from nearby Herrin. And Zenta Liepa is a 6-foot-1 post player from Riga, Latvia.

“I would say we’re high on talent, but low on experience,” Hawkins said. “How our freshmen respond to the college game will largely determine how well we play early on. They were all accomplished high school players.”

Hawkins said playing time is up for grabs.

“It’s not like we’re going to be relying on one or two people to carry the load,” he said. “The girls are going to have to show up every day and prove their worth. They need that mentality that they must fight to get minutes.”

Although he has not set any specific numbers goals, Hawkins does feel like this year’s Logan squad is much better equipped to battle for a Great Rivers Athletic Conference title. The Lady Vols last won a league title in 2001, the same year they last qualified for nationals.

“I think that over the long haul, our depth will allow us to withstand the rigors of the GRAC schedule,” he said. “We want to win the conference and represent the region at nationals in March. That is the ultimate goal.”

Buldtman, who graduated Massac County in 1998 and played four years of basketball at SIU-E, said improved size and quickness make the Lady Vols a more formidable opponent this season.

“I think we have the whole package,” she said. “I look for DaLita to lead us. She is the most battle-tested and will provide a good example to our freshmen.”

The Lady Vols open the season at home Nov. 4 against Mineral Area College and will then play Nov. 11 at Hillsboro, Mo. against Jefferson College.