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Coach: Bryan Miller (First year)
What happened last year: The Red Ramblers finished the season 8-13 and lost to Aurora Christian 61-20 in the opening round of the IHSA Class A Aurora Christian Regional.
Key losses to graduation: Martrise Hall.
Key Returning Athletes: Jasmine Barnes, Senior, Guard; Adrianna Pinto, Senior, Forward; Manseray Abdulahi, Junior, Guard-Forward; Basheeba Mays, Sophomore, Guard-Forward.
 Bryan Miller likes basketball and loves to teach basketball and is ready to start his varsity basketball coaching career. Miller takes the reins of the Mooseheart girls' basketball program this winter.
``I love the game of basketball and I like to break things down to where they can see it,`` Miller said. ``I'm more of a visual learner. If I see things more, I can learn it. I think that's the way a lot of our girls are. Once they see what's going on, they can have it all click.``
Last year, Mooseheart was 8-13 and fell to Aurora Christian in the opening round of the playoffs.
``Our whole theme this year is about being successful and what it takes to be successful,`` Miller said. ``That's not just for playing basketball but for being successful in life in general.``
Miller coached the Mooseheart Middle School boys team last year.
``It's definitely a big step up,`` Miller said. ``A lot of the girls have responded to it. We've got 30 girls out for the team, including our managers.``
But Miller is prepared for the challenge.
``There are definitely some newcomers,`` Miller said. ``We've got some returning ones who can come and carry on the legacy of the program.``
A number of the Red Ramblers played volleyball in the fall, and Miller said that should help as they prepare for the coming season.
``That will help conditioning-wise and also for being a part of a team,`` Miller said. ``They know the sacrifices it takes to be a part of a team and you don't have to teach that. That feeds into our JV player, who need that maturing process.``
Mooseheart has a pair of returning seniors who will be expected to lead the team: Adrianna Pinto and Jasmine Barnes. Pinto will likely play power forward and Barnes will likely be the team's shooting guard or small forward.
``Jasmine Barnes has definitely got some talent to play the game,`` Miller said. ``She knows the game and has a good head on her shoulders. And within the last two years, Adrianna was the (Illinois Tollway) Conference Player of the Year.``
Ballhandling will fall to a number of players, including possibly Barnes. Sophomore Basheeba Mays will see some time at guard this year.
``That's where we could run into a problem,`` Miller said. ``It's one of our worries but it's definitely something we can overcome by being a solid fundamental team.``
The lack of a bona fide center means the Red Ramblers will probably work either 3 forwards or 3 guards throughout the season. Miller mentioned quick, athletic players like Manseray Abdulahi and Ruthfee Kollie as important members in the team.
``We've got a lot of quickness this year,`` Miller said. ``We've not got a lot of height, but we have some toughness too. We have some tough girls with some tough heart and we'll utilize that in all aspects of our game.``
Miller said some of the younger girls have not played on a basketball team before and some are new to competitive basketball.
``We'll work on fundamentals all year,`` Miller said. ``Our varsity has a core who came back from last year who know the game. We'll work to improve on their game too.``
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