A familiar face will be in a new role this fall at Aberdeen Christian.

Matt Rohrbach, who also coaches the Knights boys’ basketball team, takes over as the new girls’ basketball coach this winter. He knows the team’s personnel and is excited to get things going this season.

“We actually had a pretty good summer. We got in the gym about 2-3 times a week and just did various things, just touching the ball and having some fun, and being around each other,” Rohrbach said. “I think really where we started was just trying to build a relationship with each other.”

Rohrbach plans on using the same type of philosophies that have worked well with his boys’ teams in the past.

“That family atmosphere is going to be the most important aspect to our team,” Rohrbach said. “That’s really what we tried to build this summer.”

The Knights return three players who saw major minutes a year ago: juniors Jolie Fogarty and Sophia Eichler, and sophomore Ari Johnson.

The trio of Jolie Fogarty, Molleigh Hofer, and Jacie Fogarty will be counted on to run the team’s offense.

“Ball handling is definiltey the area that every team wants to excel in. I do think we have some guards this year,” Rohrbach said. “Obviously, Jolie and Molleigh and Jacie are primarily going to handle the ball the most. I think those three will kind of be able to complement each other and be able to do it.”

Eichler and Johnson will provide some solid scoring options as well as interior defense. Johnson, who is still relatively new to the game, tied a school record for blocks in a game last season.

“Ari had a good summer. She’s taking it seriously,” Rohrbach said. “She’s only played basketball for like three years. … We’re just excited for her ability to of course block shots, but even just score a little bit more than she did last year.”

Additional help will come from Lucy Jones, Erika Moulsoff and eighth-grader Reagan Jett.

Perhaps the biggest challenge will be changing the culture for a team that did not win any games last season.

Rohrbach understands the situation and has already talked about it with his players.

“There is a hurdle and it is something we have discussed as a group, just understanding there are steps to becoming a winning program,” Rohrbach said. “That first step is being willing to work hard, regardless if  you think that you’re going to win games or not.”

Rohrbach said that’s where the family element of the sport comes in, because it takes a collective group effort to have success.

“You don’t just win because of one girl, and often times you don’t win because of five girls,” Rohrbach said. “You need to win because of 10 girls, because of practice, and competing against each other, and wanting it, and then to taking that last step and winning a basketball game is obviously the most important step.”

Rohrbach, who will be assisted by Marcus Robinson this season, said the players and the coaches are on the same page when it comes to building that type of atmosphere.

“We are kind of building towards that and we are on the same page as far as coaching staff is involved,” Rohrbach said, “and I think we have the right girls who want to turn the program around and at least build stability.”

The Knights start their season on Tuesday with a road game against Herreid-Selby Area.

While the Christian basketball programs are currently at the oppositive end of the spectrum, Rohrbach plans on treating each one the same when it comes to game preperation.

“My philosophy for girls and boys really doesn’t change,” Rohrbach said. “It’s our job to win the day. It’s our job to get better that day.”