Bethlehem Catholic's girls basketball team will look similar to that of last year's state finalist team, returning most players for a total of 11 on the varsity roster.

Although Kalista Walters and Janelle Robinson will be returning to the starting lineup, Nicole Lacherza is unavailable for competition at this time due to an injury.

Also returning are Gabby Reiman, Danielle Griffin, Nia Mims, Jordan Jones, and Alexa Foloweiler.

New to the Hawks are Easton transfer, Maggie Melhem, volleyball player, Jess Attieh, and freshman, Jessa Zamolyi.

"Unfortunately, I lost Brooke Rau. I really liked her," Becahi coach Bill Lanscek said.

Despite the success of the girls basketball program last year, the Hawks' numbers are down, and there will be no freshman team.

On the plus side, last year's freshmen who are coming back as sophomores have been through post-season play.

"I really don't know who the starters will be. Definitely Kalista and Janelle. Then I can use different combinations after that. Come number six or seven, they're pretty much interchangeable," said Lanscek.

Lanscek pointed out the strength of the Lehigh Valley Conference this season, using Northampton's summer league championship, Parkland's summer tournament championship, Liberty's returners, and Central Catholic's long-term success as examples.

"We would like to win the conference this year. We didn't win last year, and that still bothers the girls," Lanscek said.

It was the Trojans who knocked the Hawks out in the league semifinals, and it will be the Trojans the Hawks will face in their season opener on Dec. 7 at Bethlehem Catholic.