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Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Springs High School girls basketball season could have started this weekend, and that wouldn't have been soon enough for senior Jessica Peters.

"I'm really excited," she said. "We are going to run."

A lot.

This year's Sailors team doesn't have a lot of height -- junior Erin Gleason is the only player taller than 6 feet -- but the team, including Gleason, is very athletic and very fast.

Second-year coach Ashley Berggren returns four starters from last year's squad, but the graduation of the fifth -- Kayla Kostur -- leaves a vacancy in the scoring and rebounding columns.

"We've got to fill that big hole left by her absence," Berggren said. "As a group, we do have the ability to fill in those gaps."

The return of senior Tara King and Gleason will help inside. Gleason had offseason shoulder surgery to correct a problem that has bothered her since seventh grade. The injury kept her off the volleyball court, so she is more than ready to resume varsity sports.

"I think it's possible for us to win a league title," she said. "I think there is enough drive this year."

The Sailors figure to be in contention for the Western Slope League crown, but the makeup of the team and how it gets a good chunk of its points may be different for those used to seeing Steamboat feed everything through the post.

"Everyone can shoot threes," Peters said.

Berggren has one coaching season under her belt, so she is familiar with her team and each player's strength.

Perimeter players Missy Chotvacs, Peters, Ann Barney and Shannon King give Steamboat four shooters who should prevent opposing defenses from collapsing on King and Gleason inside.

"We won't be so centered around one player this year," Gleason said. "Everyone is good point-wise."

Steamboat kicks off its season against Longmont on Friday at the Roaring Fork Tournament.

The Sailors will play in three early-season tournaments, including their own, before opening league play at Delta on Jan. 6. The schedule for the Steamboat Shootout from Dec. 8 to 10 is not set.

-- To reach Melinda Mawdsley, call 871-4208 or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com