In Billy Dunn's first season as head coach of the Emmaus girls basketball team, there was an admitted learning curve. Dunn brought with him a whole new system that took some time for his players to adjust to playing under. This season, all that is in the past and the players are on the same page as their coach.

After a 15-7 record last season, the expectations are high for the program. Three seniors from last year's team - Sandra Gee, Leah Horton and Shaniece Jackson - are playing college ball, but there are plenty of weapons ready to fill the holes on the team. Part of the reason for that is because some of Dunn's younger players were able to find time on the court last season and are a step ahead coming into the 2012-13 season.

Dunn spoke glowingly of Drea Watkins, who he believes may have made the most progress since the team was last on the court.

"Drea Watkins is a totally different player," said Dunn. "She has just shot up with skill, ability and smart play. She had to work on a couple things and she has done that."

Beth Wiseley and Anna Baer return and both started for the team last season when they were healthy, although each missed games because of injuries. To fill the remaining spots in the starting lineup, Dunn will choose from a group that all benefitted from playing time last season.

"Liz Waring was giving us significant minutes as a freshman, Kelsey Bacon was a junior and started a bulk of games and then Maraya Bowen came on and in her first game had 15 points and eight rebounds," said Dunn. "So, interestingly enough, we actually have six girls who have all seen significant starting minutes. Even though we lost Sandra and Leah and Shaniece, I still like where we're at right now."

Baer is entering her senior season after missing half of last season with a broken wrist. Even when she was hurt, Baer was helping her teammates to get better and has learned about keeping the team all on the same page from last year's seniors. She's also charged up for her senior season to get underway.

"I learned last year about how our team has to stick together and do things because they're best for the team and not for just one player. We do things together and work together as a team and that's so important," said Baer. "I'm not a big preseason practice person, because I'm excited for the season to begin, but the harder we work, the faster it goes and we're almost there."

Wiseley, whose brother was a senior leader on the boys team last year, is known for her outside shot. Like Baer, Wiseley was hurt for part of last season and missed seven games, so the junior is also anxious to see different faces on the other side of the ball.

"We know there aren't any games that we can't win, but we also know that we have to work for every win. There's so much competition that you can't take a night off and I like that," said Wiseley.

Optimism and anticipation are key words at this point of the season for Emmaus girls basketball. Baer and Wiseley want to improve upon their 15-7 record from last season and are determined to make it happen. Both the players and Dunn know that it won't be easy, because the LVC is always tough.

"The speed and quickness is going to be very different for us," said Dunn. "I thought defensively that we really needed to improve, so we worked on some things at the defensive end as well and I think that will make us better."