In addition to working through a rough start to the season that included losing three games in a row, the girl’s basketball team has been working to build the team while developing fundamentals, according to new Coach Kevin Blunt.

The team has also been dealing with the transfer of several key players and a coaching transition.

Coach Scott Peters stepped away from the game at the end of last season, saying he wanted to focus on creating an impact off the court.

Additionally, juniors Natalie Neumann and Vienn Sheng transferred to Woodside Priory, while Katherine Garr transferred to longtime girls basketball powerhouse Pinewood School.

The loss of Peters who had been the head coach of the girls basketball program since 2007 and core members of the league-winning team last year set the team on a determined path to rebuild past success, according to Blunt, who previously coached at San Jose City College.

Under his leadership, the team hopes to improve.

“We lost seven seniors, and then out of the four incoming juniors that were returning, they all transferred out,” Blunt said. “We have one senior left who didn’t get a lot of playing time last year, so we are young as far as varsity experience.”

Although only one girl returned from the previous season, Blunt said he still has high expectations for this year’s team.

“I consider this year a blank canvas,” Blunt said. “We have to develop our foundation, just like a house, pouring the foundation down before you build. Right now, we are still pouring cement, and it’s not even close to drying.”

Freshman Ella Hoy said this will be a building year, growing as a team and improving individual skills.

“We’ve already gotten a lot better, and we’re going to continue to do so,” Hoy said. “This season is definitely going to be a building season, but we have a lot of talent. 

While the season has been off to a rough start, Hoy said the team is prepared to put effort in for greater success in future seasons.

In the next few years, (our work) really going to show,” Hoy said. “We’re gonna have some good seasons in the future.”