MOOSEHEART, IL - In two seasons coaching girls basketball at Mooseheart, Bryan Miller and his Red Ramblers team have accomplished many things together.

The Red Ramblers have posted back-to-back seasons that just fell short of the .500 level. Last season, Mooseheart won a playoff game for the first time in a generation.

But if you think that this, in any way, has either Miller or the Ramblers satisfied, guess again.

"I couldn't wait to get this started again, especially after our regional loss (to Immaculate Conception) last season," Miller said. "Especially with the number of girls we have out for the team."

Those accomplishments, including last year's 11-13 campaign, have turned the campus' high school girls into basketball players. Nearly 30 have again signed up to compete for roster spots for the 2008-09 team. And that competition started on Tuesday with the team's first practice.

Miller talked with his team, sent them on a conditioning run across campus and then the team got down to its first set of drills. Through the opening day of drills, Miller didn't have to encourage the squad to work harder that much.

"It's self-induced," Miller said. "They know what it takes and what to expect. Usually on a first day of practice, you've got to set your tolerances and set your expectations. This year, I didn't have to do that. You see girls hustling already and hustling to the middle of the court after drills."

Those little things such as post-drill hustle, were the focal point of Tuesday's first practice. Miller said he wasn't counting how many layups each girl made - though those things would become important in time.

"Pretty much at this point, we're looking for who's going to step up and lead," Miller said. "You're looking for your seniors to step up and take over. You're looking for that on-court leadership and you're looking for the girls who are trying."

The Ramblers lost one starter to graduation in Ruthfee Kollie. Three seniors - Kami D'Andrea, Kim Phillips and Basheeba Mays figure to log significant minutes this year. In addition, a core of younger players returns to give the Ramblers unprecedented depth as the 2008-09 campaign nears.

"Four of our five starters are back," Miller said. "That's good for consistency and also good role-modeling for our JV, having that core group back."

The Ramblers have players such as Mays, Krystal Ellsworth and Sandra Tolson who are strong inside players. Mays can also ballhandle, as can Kim Phillips or Katie Stryker. Overall, the team has versatility to go with its depth.

"We've got a balanced attack," Miller said. "We've got some big girls who can score inside and we've got some girls who can score off the dribble. As far as our defense, we're pretty long and lanky, for the most part. We've got a good sense of balance to the game."

Mooseheart's season opens with a home game against Kirkland-Hiawatha on Nov. 17. 2008

-2008 Mooseheart Girls Basketball Schedule

Nov. 17 home vs. Kirkland-Hiawatha 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 19 at Illinois Lutheran 6 p.m.
Nov. 24 at Elgin Academy Tournament TBA
Nov. 25 at Elgin Academy Tournament TBA
Nov. 28 at Elgin Academy Tournament TBA
Nov. 29 at Elgin Academy Tournament TBA
Dec. 4 home vs. Hope Academy 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 8 at Alden-Hebron 7 p.m.
Dec. 13 at Luther South 1:30 p.m.
Dec. 15 at Genoa-Kingston Tournament TBA
Dec. 16 at Genoa-Kingston Tournament TBA
Dec. 17 at Genoa-Kingston Tournament TBA
Jan. 10 at North Shore Country Day TBA
Jan. 12 home vs. Alden-Hebron 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 home vs. Paw Paw 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 home vs. Elgin Academy 6 p.m.
Jan. 19 at Westminster Tournament TBA
Jan. 26 home vs. Illinois Lutheran 6 p.m.
Jan. 27 at Indian Creek 7 p.m.
Feb. 2 at Ridgewood Baptist 5 p.m.
Feb. 3 home vs. Ashton-Franklin 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 home vs. Luther South 6 p.m.
Feb. 8 at Paw Paw 7 p.m.
Feb. 9 IHSA Class A Regionals Begin