Brief previews of 2008-09 Heart of Illinois Conference girls basketball teams.

Blue Ridge Knights

Head coach: Chip Alexander, 2nd season

Last year: 8-21, 4-8 in Heart of Illinois Conference (10th). Lost to Tuscola in semifinals of Class 1A Warrensburg-Latham Regional.

FYI: Blue Ridge is still adjusting to second-year coach Chip Alexander's system. The Knights must replace leading scorer Jamie Hendricks (12.0 ppg). Alexander said seniors Shannon Baker (5-6), Steffani Davis (5-8) and Brittni Wain (5-10) will be "key to any success we have." He also is counting on a junior class which includes two-year letterwinner Devin Houser.

Deer Creek-Mackinaw Chiefs

Head coach: Tony Riddle, 5th season

Last year: 11-15, 3-9 in Heart of Illinois Conference (11th). Lost to Roanoke-Benson in first round of Class 1A Flanagan Regional

FYI: Dee-Mack must make up for the graduation of Ashli Silverthorn, a four-year all-conference player. Returnees include two of the area's top rebounders from last season: 5-8 junior Anna Jacobs (8.1 rebounds) and 5-9 sophomore Lauren Cornwell (7.5). Other returning letter winners are seniors Stephanie Maurer (5-4) and Kelley Brandenburg (5-11) and junior Kaleigh Beaty (5-7).

El Paso-Gridley Titans

Head coach: Kyle Bobbitt, 1st season

Last year: 18-6, 9-2 in Heart of Illinois Conference (third). Lost to Decatur St. Teresa in semifinals of Class 2A Maroa-Forsyth Regional

FYI: EPG begins a new era after the retirement of Linda Hocker, who went 378-151 in 21 seasons. Kyle Bobbitt served as her assistant last year. The Titans are led by senior center Kindi Bullard (16.8 points, 9.9 rebounds), a first-team All-Area pick a year ago. Other returning letterwinners are senior guards Hannah Hartness and Emma Kirby and sophomore guard Moli Copple (4.0 assists).

Fieldcrest Knights

Head coach: Ron Kreiser, 4th season

Last year: 9-16, 4-7 in Heart of Illinois Conference (ninth). Lost to Eureka in semifinals of Class 2A Eureka Regional

FYI: Fieldcrest has four senior letter winners in Rozanna Catarinicchia, Chelsey Cashmer, Becca Martynowski and Kelly Testin. Also earning letters last year were junior Brianne Sanders and sophomores Katie Rients and Megan Winkler. Coach Ron Kreiser said his team should be "very athletic" and that he will play at least three sophomores and possibly a freshman.

Fisher Bunnies

Head coach: Ken Ingold, 1st season

Last year: 17-10, 6-6 in Heart of Illinois Conference (sixth). Lost to Sidell Jamaica in semifinals of Class 1A Oakwood Regional

FYI: Fisher returns the area's No. 3 scorer in 5-7 junior forward Savannah Piety (18.4 ppg), a second-team All-Area pick last year. Also back is 5-7 senior center Tiffany Wallick (7.2 rebounds). Piety (3.1 steals) and senior guard Kristi Morgan (2.8) figure to make things happen defensively. The Bunnies return seven letterwinners, but must replace Amy Rigsby (.866 FT shooter, 6.7 rebounds).

Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland Falcons

Head coach: Ron Spencer, second season

Last year: 27-9, 12-0 in Heart of Illinois Conference (first). Won Class 1A state championship

FYI: The Falcons lost leading scorers Anna Jones (19.0 ppg) and her twin sister Caitlyn Jones (13.6) off last year's Class 1A state championship team. FCW returns two starters in 5-10 senior post player Jamie Russow and 5-6 senior guard-forward Anna Delheimer. Junior guard Emily Gundy, senior post player Taylor Wheat and senior guard Addie Girard contributed off the bench last year.

GCMS Falcons

Head coach: Chad Acree, third season

Last year: 13-12, 6-5 in Heart of Illinois Conference (fifth). Lost Class 1A regional semifinals.

FYI: With six senior letterwinners, the Falcons have plenty of experience. Guard Sidney Overman, who averaged 11.1 points last season, and center Sarah Petersen and forward Taylor Tjardes are returning starters, while forward Jill Schultz was a part-time starter.

Heyworth Hornets

Head coach: Tony Griffin, seventh season

Last year: 18-10, 7-5 in Heart of Illinois Conference (fourth). Lost Class 1A regional finals.

FYI: Sophomore guard Dakota Springer, who came on strong late last season, will join senior forwards Alex Roberts and Samantha Thompson as returning starters. Another senior forward, 5-foot-11 Kaylee Neslund, is the Hornets' other returning letterwinner.

LeRoy Panthers

Head coach: Danielle Cooley, second season

Last year: 6-17, 1-11 in Heart of Illinois Conference (13th). Lost Class 1A regional first round.

FYI: Junior guard Sarah Hintz, who advanced to the 3-point finals at the state tourney, is among four returning starters for a team with no seniors. Hintz averaged 11.9 points last season. Forwards Jorgia Hanlin and Kailey Howes are returning starters and give the Panthers some size up front, while guards Brittany Moyer and Ashley Segerstrom were part-time starters.

Lexington Minutemen

Head coach: Christina Wright, first season

Last year: 10-18, 2-10 in Heart of Illinois Conference (12th). Lost Class 1A regional semifinals.

FYI: The guard-oriented Minutemen are looking for their quickness on defense to lead to easy points on the other end. The team's three seniors - point guard Erika Elias, Rachel Bowden and inside threat Kelsey Kaiser - are returning starters. Juniors Brittany Sims, Carlee Freed and Cassy Tracy all saw significant playing time last season.

Ridgeview Mustangs

Head coach: Mindy Whitehouse, fifth season

Last year: 26-5, 11-1 in Midstate Conference (second). Lost Class 1A sectional final.

FYI: The Mustangs return five letterwinners from last year's squad which won the McLean County Tournament and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to eventual state champion Flanagan. Senior guard Lauren Kellar was a Heart of Illinois Conference first-team selection who averaged 15.5 points and 3.0 assists while making 62 3-pointers.

Tremont Turks

Head coach: Michelle Williams, 3rd season

Last year: 9-14, 5-6 in Heart of Illinois Conference (eighth). Reached Class 1A regional semifinal.

FYI: Youthful Tremont will be hard pressed to replace graduated forward Erica Miller, who led the area in scoring with a 20.2 average. Mary Koch and Jessica Fink are the young Turks' only returning senior letterwinners.

Tri-Valley Vikings

Head coach: Brad Harmon, 1st season

Last year: 14-10, 6-6 in Heart of Illinois Conference (tied for sixth). Reached Class 1A regional final.

FYI: The rebuilding Vikings must overcome the loss of four starters and their top two bench players to graduation. Senior point guard Kourtnie Cobstill is the lone returning starter.