The NOC Enid Lady Jets start the 2018-19 season at New Mexico Junior College Thursday, Nov. 1 in head coach Scott Morris' 18th season.
NOC Enid returns a strong sophomore class including Macie Jo Pierce, Jacie Engler, Addi Meeker, Kori Williams, Monique Tramble, Tanara Combs, Lexi Large, and Chelsea Lazenby.
Freshmen include Sarah Griswold, Kaylee Hurst, and Hayden Freeman.
The Lady Jets have suffered two key injuries in the pre-season as Kinsey Neiderer and Euresia Brown are both out for the season.
"Those are two pretty key players out for the year," Morris said. "It's a shame, I hate it for both kids. We'll have to retool a little bit and adjust as we go. We are going to need others to step up."
Last season, the Lady Jets were 27-6 and reached the finals of the NJCAA Region 2 Tournament last year falling to NEO.
This year, the Lady Jets will be counting on the 3-point shot perhaps more than in past seasons.
"We have the opportunity to have one of the best shooting teams we've had in my 18 years," Morris said. "I think we'll shoot it well and from a number of different players."
Morris said he hopes the threat of the 3-pointers will space the floor.
"Spacing the floor is key because it allows us to do some other things," he said. "If teams have to respect the 3-point shot, then we can penetrate and make some things happen."
"We've always run a lot of four-out motion but this year, we'll be running some five-out trying to make other teams centers guard away from the basket," Morris added.
A lack of size could be an issue for the Lady Jets.
"We have little size and depth so we'll have to play excellent team defense and team rebound," he said. "Everyone is going to have to rebound for us to be a good team this year. We'll be trying to mix up man-to-man and zone depending on the match-ups."
Morris is assisted by first year assistant Shawnta Johnson.