Senior star Nikki Grose will be a key performer for Warsaw this season. The Tigers, coming off a 24-2 campaign, open the season at Huntington North Saturday (File photo by Scott Davidson)

WARSAW – Coach Michelle Harter knows her Warsaw girls basketball team will be a work in progress early on this season.

The Tigers, coming off a tremendous campaign a year ago, will have some new faces in new places for the 2013-14 edition.

“We’re going to have to figure out who fills roles for us,” said Harter as she enters her sixth season. “We are a little inexperienced and we will have players in different roles for us in terms of being scorers this year.

“I like what I’ve seen in the preseason. The girls are working hard and they are eager to learn. I like the hustle and the communication that I’ve seen from them. We just have to understand our roles, work together as a team and continue to improve.”

Warsaw has to replace five seniors from last year’s outstanding 24-2 squad. The Tigers lost standouts Lindsay Baker and Jennifer Walker-Crawford, steady Mel Holladay and backups Sarah Ray and Gabby Monroy. Walker-Crawford, now at Kentucky Wesleyan, averaged a team-high 14.2 points-per-game. Baker, now at Toledo, averaged 11.5 ppg. and led the team with 51 treys and also led the team in assists and steals. Holladay averaged 5.2 ppg.

The Tigers captured the Northern Lakes Conference title a year ago at 6-1. The lone regular-season loss for Warsaw was a 34-30 setback at league foe NorthWood in the next to last game of the regular season. Warsaw then won the Concord Sectional title and the Valparaiso Regional crown before losing a 47-44 heartbreaker to Fort Wayne South Side at home in the semi state. The sectional and regional titles were the first since 2004.

“I think last year brought some excitement back to our program,” said Harter. “Our younger kids saw what could happen and they want to be a part of it. The key is for them to work hard and become a complete player.”

Harter, whose team opens the season at Huntington North Nov. 16, saw plenty of good and bad this past Saturday in a scrimmage at Valparaiso.

“It was a good learning experience for us,” Harter said. “I saw some good things like our rebounding. I also saw some things we need to work on like being strong with the ball and getting back on defense.”

The Tigers do return a standout to build around in Nikki Grose. The 6-0 senior post player really came on late last year in the postseason. Grose averaged 11.8 points and a team-high 9.6 rebounds per game while shooting a team-best 59.9 percent from the field as a junior.   She was a Junior All-Star and has made a verbal commitment to Indiana Tech.

“Nikki just has to lead us with her play at both ends of the court this season,” said Harter. “She needs to take advantage of her opportunities to score, be patient because she is a great passer, lead us on defense and get on the boards. She has the potential and the talent to be an Indiana All-Star.”

Harter, who played at Wawasee High School, is also expecting big things from the senior duo of Eryn Leek and Brooklyn Harrison. Leek started in the backcourt last year and averaged 2.2 ppg. Harrison, a strong defender, averaged 3.5 ppg and played in all 26 games as a key reserve.

“We just need consistency from both Eryn and Brooklyn,” said Harter, who is 80-31 at WCHS. “They both need to look to score more for us this year. It’s a different role for them, but they have to be ready to attack the basket and score.”

The Tigers starting five for Saturday’s opener will likely also feature Pam Miller. The 5-10 junior played in 22 games last season. The fifth spot could go to either Vicki Harris or Jodie Carlson, both juniors.  The roster also features senior Courtney Farling, juniors Bayleigh Hanna, Megan Kratzsch and Erin Clemens and freshmen Page Desenberg and Kilee Slone.

“Our seniors are learning to lead more vocally and I thought Eryn did a good job in the scrimmage,” said Harter. “I think our young kids will do a nice job once they get comfortable and get some experience.”

Warsaw relied big time on its defense in last year’s incredible season. The Tigers only allowed 35.3 ppg, one of the top marks statewide.

“Our defense will be a big key for us again and this team could be a good defensive team,” remarked Harter. “Defense is something you can count on every night and you need to have it to win championships.”

Warsaw plays its first three games on the road before hosting Whitko Nov. 29 in the home opener.

Harter is anxious for the opener at Huntington North on Saturday to arrive.

“I want to see the things we need to focus on to get better,” said Harter. “I think we can be a contender for the NLC and the sectional again this year. It’s going to be tough. We know that.”