Aberdeen Christian will be led by a new coach and some new players, bolstered by a pair of returning veterans this girls’ basketball season.

Andre Cobbs has taken over the helm of the program. He likes what he has seen in practice so far.

“It is a nice mix of people that have a good, nice developed skill and basketball IQ,” Cobbs said.

The Knights will rely on Jolie Fogarty and Sophia Eichler, who have both seen major minutes in the past.

“They actually already kind of are the leaders out there on the court,” Cobbs said.

Each brings a certain skillset for the floor.

“Jolie really has a good basketball IQ and the skill to back to it up … and you’ve yet to see her at her highest point,” Cobbs said.

Eichler will be a force inside for Christian.

“If you watch Sophia’s footwork and the moves that she’s doing, it’s amazing footwork already for just a junior,” Cobbs said.

Senior Alicia Davis is also a returning member from last year and will be counted on for her ballhandling to help Fogarty in the offensive scheme.

“The other point guard, Alicia, is really good at seeing the stuff,” Cobbs said, “so I can really let Jolie move around.”

The Knights will be counting on major contributions from a pair of newcomers to the team this year. Volleyball standout Aria Johnson came out for basketball this year, and Eri Cobbs transferred to Christian in the offseason. While neither has played a minute of varsity basketball, they will lead a group of new players who bring athleticism to the squad and haven’t developed bad habits.

“That’s the one thing that I really like about the newer ones. They haven’t learned the bad habits and they’re like an open book,” Coach Cobbs said. “So you can kind of write in there what you want, but they’re all athletic.”

Shakinah Holsing is the other senior on the team and brings a high level of energy to the Knights, according to Cobbs.

“The two seniors will see substantial minutes, A, because they’re seniors, but they’ve earned it,” Cobbs said. “They’ve got a really good skillset.”

While Cobbs grew up around the Yale and Princeton type of slow down offense, look for the Knights to get out in transition when possible.

“If it’s there, you’ll hear me saying, ‘Is it there, do I have anything? If it’s there, please Jolie get down the court.’ The offense, it’s cut-based, screen-based, but they’re so fast with it,” Cobbs said. “So that’s my goal, if we can get that screen, catch them off guard, and you can make that quick cut, I think then we can get better looks at the basket. That’s my goal is to get us close to the basket.”

The Knights won a total of three games last season and Cobbs knows it will take some time to turn things around. That said, the team still has goals heading into the season.

“I think every sport I’ve been in, we’ve done that where you’ve set some goals at the beginning and then you kind of tailor those goals towards the middle of the season,” Cobbs said.

Christian starts its season Tuesday at Warner, before hosting Leola-Frederick on Thursday and facing Redfield on Saturday at Roncalli.

Cobbs believes the Knights have the potential the get people’s attention this year with a deep squad that is motivated to start the campaign.

“I really think this group is going to surprise some people. I think we’ve got a good rotation of eight people on the varsity team, where you can run yourself ragged and we can get someone else in that’s not a skill position drop,” Cobbs said. “So I really like that. We can just go at it, OK, you’re tired, bring in the next person; you’re tired, OK, bring in the next person. I really think we will surprise some people with how well the girls play. They are 100 percent dialed in. They’re ready to go.”