The Northern Oklahoma College Lady Mavs open the season Friday night in the Allen Basketball Classic in Iola, Kansas.
The Lady Mavs are coached by Greg Krause, now in his 38th season.
NOC returns four starters in 2019-20 including point guard Mia Brown (Mustang), shooting guard Carlee Murray (Granite), forward Hannah Maples (Ringwood), and forward Chideyah Guyton (DeSoto, TX). Guyton started in 2018-19 but missed last season with a knee injury.
"I really like our sophomore class," Krause said. "They have a lot of experience and have worked hard to prepare for this season. I like their mental approach to the game plus they have worked hard to prepare themselves physically. As sophomores, they understand the grind of the season and have prepared well."
Other sophomores include guard Nikale Maciel (Oklahoma City), forward Ally Jennings (Ponca City), and Ambresa Hall-Zotigh (Pawnee).
Lady Mavs freshman include forward Radina Zhivachka (Bulgaria), Caitlyn Bailey (Luther), Celeste Moore (DeSoto, TX), Khnly Duncan (Perry), forward Carli Sadler (Ripley), Kaylee Cline (Deer Creek-Edmond), guard Cassie Manning (Glencoe), and Jaden Severin (Helena).
"Our freshmen have really adjusted well," Krause said. "They are going to give us quality depth this year."
Krause has traditionally played a wide open style, that won't change in 2019-2020 but the depth on this year's squad will allow the Lady Mavs to play different combinations.
"This year, we can go to a bigger lineup or we can go smaller and be more aggressive defensively," Krause said. "That's always a bonus because you have options to change momentum during games. It's important to have versatility and I think we'll have that this year."
The Lady Mavs first home game is Friday, Nov. 8 when the Lady Mavs host Southwestern Iowa in the Maverick Basketball Classic at 5 p.m.
NOC was 10-17 in 2019-20.