Now that winter is just around the corner, the high school girls basketball team is gearing up for yet another season, ready to blaze through another three months of games before, hopefully, making a return trip to the state tournament.

The Lady Falcons made a bid for the state crown for the third year in a row last season and, according to head coach Mandy Baca, that’s exactly what they aim to do in 2013-14.

“Last season was very successful…This year, we expect to make it to post season play again,” Baca said.

“The makeup of the team is different in that there are five senior leaders.”

In other words, the Falcons have a boatload of experience on their side this season, something Baca plans to take full advantage of.

“We’ve got all returners but one,” she added.

“We graduated one senior last year.”

With only a couple of weeks of practice under their belts so far this season, Baca said that she and her athletes are working on every aspect of the game, fine-tuning all departments.

“At this point in the season, everything needs a little extra attention,” she said.

“Things, in general, are looking pretty strong.

“The team is always very cohesive and does a great job of picking things up where we left off after summer ball.”

From hitting the gym to playing some off-season games, Baca has made sure the Falcons have remained busy since the end of last season.

While the Falcons haven’t chosen a set of captains this season, Baca said the squad is not lacking in leadership, as her five seniors, her junior point guard and even an up-and-coming sophomore have all shown strong leadership skills.

With so many players willing to step up and take charge, Baca said this season’s goal is the same as it has always been.

“The goal is obviously to make it into the state tournament and ultimately bring home a trophy,” Baca added.

“We plan to take this one game at a time and focus on the opponent at hand, while giving the most focus to our system and playing our game to the fullest of its potential.”

With the new season up and running this week, the Lady Falcons plan to hit the ground running against their first opponents, Estrella Foothills. The Falcons hosted Estrella last night, Nov. 26, and will not be back on the home court until their game against Salome on Friday, Dec. 6, at 10 a.m.

Before that game, however, the Falcons will be on the road in Florence, taking on the Gophers in a 6 p.m. match-up on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

A handful of games will carry the Falcons through mid-December, then they’ll be back in action shortly into the New Year.

“I am approaching this season with high expectations,” said Baca.

“I know we have the ability and the mental toughness to be where we want to be in February. I’m going to push these girls and make sure they play to their potential.”

Here in the early season, Baca said that it was the team’s dedication to the sport in the off-season that will give them an edge moving forward. With all of the returners participating in summer ball, Baca said that the team was able to move right back into their own rhythm now that the winter season is underway.

“The girls on this team are set on winning,” Baca added.

“And to do that, they know they have to play hard and execute. It starts on the defensive end of the floor, so fans can expect some hard-nosed defense and a fast-paced tempo throughout the game.”