The WCS Eagles girls basketball team hope to shake off the remaining rust this week, in time for their first four-team tournament of the year.

The tournament starts on Friday and runs through Saturday.

Aside from two junior team games against St. Michael School and Weyburn Junior High, the senior team will play Lake Lenore, Melfort and Estevan in a round-robin format.

"The Melfort game will be a rubber match for us," said coach Gary Frederickson. "It is a chance to see who has improved the most over this week."

Lake Lenore is also expected to bring a strong team at the Weyburn tournament.

"They won the 3A provincial championship last year," said Frederickson. "A lot of the same kids came back this year from that team."

The Eagles finished in fourth place at Notre Dame's tournament this past weekend.

The Eagles lost to their Wilcox hosts in the third place game 61-59. The Eagles also lost to Melfort 68-55 in a rematch from the previous tournament in Saskatoon. The lone win came in the tournament's opening round, an 80-33 win over Humboldt.

"We are still experimenting with our people in various positions," said coach Gary Frederickson. "We also had some injuries which really hurt us in the game against Melfort."

Michelle Wanner was injured on Friday and was lost for the remainder of the tournament. Tamara McFadden was also out of action with the flu.

"Marla May, Sheena Aitken and Stephanie Ernst all stepped up to play this weekend," Frederickson said. "We're getting there. I'm rusty too."

The Eagles hope to contend for a spot at Hoopla this year.

Sheena Aitken, a small forward in Grade 12 is one of the Eagle's best defenders.

"She can play 40 minutes at any perimeter spot on the court including point guard," said Frederickson. "We look to her to be consistently in double-digit scoring."

Trina Delanoy is a Grade 12 small forward who is coming off an ankle injury. The injury has kept her out of the lineup for over a year.

"She can play good defence," Frederickson said. "She also has a good perimeter shot and can play the post. Her good back-to-basket moves really help her."

Stephanie Ernst, a Grade 12 point guard is starting for the first time this year.

"She's been doing a great job for us." said Frederickson. "She is really quick and has a good perimeter shot. She can shoot the three-point shot."

Ernst is improving her intensity on the court, and has also improved her turnover rates. She can also play well on defence against the opposing point guards.

Bre Leach is a Grade 12 post and power forward. She is known as a strong, solid force inside.

"She also has a good perimeter shot, which we will try and make better use of this year," said Frederickson. "Look for her to bring some physical intensity inside."

Marla May, the Grade 12 shooting guard and small forward, spent this summer on the provincial basketball team at the Western Canadian Summer Games.

"She is our best offensive player," said Frederickson. "She can create room for herself to score."

She is recognized as an intense player who provides leadership on and off the court."

Michelle Wanner is a Grade 12 post player and a rookie to the senior team this year.

"She is improving every day," Frederickson said. "She is intense, tough and has provided us with some solid defence and scoring. We really miss her when she is not in the lineup."

Katie Farney is a Grade 11 rookie point guard. She possesses good dribbling skill and plays solid defence.

"She takes care of the ball well and does a great job coming off the bench," said Frederickson. "She is also consistent. Sometimes that is worth more to a team."

Tamara Steer plays both shooting guard and post. The Grade 11 student is a veteran to the senior team who can play anywhere.

"She is quick," said the Eagle coach. "She is really good at running in an open court game. She is a real asset in that type of game."

Jody Anderson is also good in an open-court game. The Grade 10 student plays power forward and post.

"She is also very good in a wide-open game," Frederickson said. "We are looking to improve her perimeter shot and defence. She started for us at the Notre Dane tournament and worked very hard."

Susan Beach is a Grade 10 guard.

"She has a good perimeter shot and good dribbling skills," Frederickson said. "She needs some experience on the court, but she works hard."

Jamie Gillmore is a Grade 10 power forward and post who makes good decisions on the court.

"She reads the play very well," said coach Frederickson. "She has a good shot and is a good defensive player."

Raylene Horseman missed all of last year with a broken finger. The Grade 10 post is a bit behind because of the injury, but that does not concern her coach.

"She is working to improve her shot and team defence at this level," said Frederickson. "She will do fine. It takes a while to catch up when you've lost the last two months of the season."

Tamara McFadden is a Grade 10 post who saw playing time in the Saskatoon tournament two weeks ago.

"She played well at that tournament," Frederickson said. "I expect her to be a solid post defender and a solid scorer."

Leah McKenzie has a good shot. The Grade 10 post needs to learn defences but her coaches are seeing improvement in her play.

"She has a good shot and also has good left and right hand-skills," said Frederickson.

Danielle McLeod is a quick, fast Grade 10 point guard, known for her enthusiasm.

"She is so happy to be alive, its infectious," said Frederickson. "She is a good defender who played well this weekend."

Deanna Morrice is a shooting guard and small forward in Grade 10.

"She is a good shooter and can use both hands," Frederickson said. "Her skill are very good. She is working very hard at playing with confidence."

Melissa Renz is a quick Grade 10 guard.

"She has good speed and her ball-handling skills are improving," said Frederickson. "I'm optimistic I will see improvement in her play."