As Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s girls’ basketball team hits the hardwood, players are focused on the new season ahead.

November is soon to conclude, which means more floor squeaking and nets swishing as basketball season is here. The Lady Saints are ready for a new season after a previous season that saw them reach the state championship. Last year the Lady Saints finished the season with a 24-4 record and state runner-ups.

NSA lost two all-state players on that team in Harper Birdsong and Caroline Hogg, so this year could be considered something of a time of rebuilding.

Despite losing a talent such as Birdsong, who won All-State Player of the Year three times in a row, the Lady Saints believe they can remain one of the top two teams in the TCIS Conference.

They will be limited in size this year, which could allow the team to score more points in transition.

“Our goal is to spread people out and take advantage of our quickness,” coach Kim Aston said. “Defensively we want to try to put pressure on the ball and create shots off of turnovers.”

Aston thinks her team’s perimeter shooting has improved from last year.

NSA will have two players replacing Birdsong and Hogg in the starting lineup. Abby Herrod will be taking over one of the starting positions.

Also, this year the Lady Saints will be welcoming a Wilson High School transfer Kaylah Brown, who is projected to start at the point guard position. NSA will also be returning three starters in Logan Harrell Lindsay Knierbein and Kelly Hogan. Hogan is a second team all-conference player from last year.

“The returners are going to have a lot of motivation,” Aston said. “I think people are thinking we will not be as good because of the pieces we lost. I don’t think they will be expecting a whole lot from us, and I believe the kids will have something to prove.”

“I think this is going to be a very exciting season for us,” Hogan said. “Because of Harper Birdsong and Caroline Hogg graduating, many people aren’t sure how good we are going to be. I think we are going to surprise a lot of people.”

The Lady Saints will also add another transfer from Chicago in Lauren Saunders. Aston is confident in what Saunders will bring as a reserve for the team. Sarah Roberts and Mary Catherine Aston will also be adding solid play in reserve roles.

NSA prides itself on fundamentals. From a philosophy standpoint, Aston believes it’s easy to play off of athletic talent, but adding skill with the athletic talent will take players to the next level.

The Lady Saints spend a lot of time on skill work throughout their practices to help elevate players to their next levels.

One thing NSA would like to improve is its turnover problem. Aston mentioned that there were crucial times in the state championship game last season when the team turned the ball over, making limiting turnovers a priority.

Last weekend the Lady Saints participated in a tournament at Virginia Episcopal School. They lost their first game to Timberlake Christian 37-67 before beating VES 45-18. The Lady Saints ended the weekend with a 1-1 record.

NSA will start conference play Wednesday at 7 p.m., which will also be the team’s home opener.