FERRIDAY — The Ferriday Lady Trojans got off to their worst start under current head coach Lisa Abron after losing their first four games this year.

Two key post players from last year were gone, and the road ahead looked long.

But Abron didn’t want to hear the phrase “rebuilding year,” and her girls didn’t either.

Now, with three district games remaining, the Lady Trojans are 16-8 overall with a 4-1 record in District 2-2A.

“I expected us to have an up-and-down season,” Abron said. “I don’t want to say it’s a rebuilding season. We still have our district MVP from last year, Chante Poole.

“Our inside game is not what it used to be. I was kind of expecting us to be weak in the post. I lost Jasmine Upchurch, who’s 6-2, and Jalessia Davis, who’s 6-3. I have some players in the post doing a good job. They don’t have (enough) experience.”

Because of that, guards Poole and Jasmine Butler have had to take a lot of outside shots. Poole and Butler have, for most of the season, been Ferriday’s leading scorers.

The lack of experience did cost the Lady Trojans against Lake Providence just over two weeks ago.

The Lady Panthers used their athletic ability to pull down rebounds and make some put backs in their win over the Lady Trojans.

But despite that loss, Abron said she is pleased with where her team is not only as the season has progressed, but also in the district standings.

“We’re sitting in second place in district. It’s us and Lake Providence as usual. We have them at home Tuesday. I’m happy with where we are now,” Abron said.

“I know we’re going to get in the playoffs.”

But before worrying about the playoffs, which are still a few weeks away, the Lady Trojans must win their last three district games and perhaps have some help to win the district championship.

And in order for Ferriday to defeat Lake Providence Tuesday night, Abron noted that the Lady Trojans must play better defense and do a better job boxing out and rebounding than they did the first time these two teams played each other.

“What’s made us so successful is our fast break. We have to box out and rebound. Inside, they’re too tall for us. If we force some bad shots, we’ll be OK. If we don’t play good defense, we’re in trouble,” Abron said.

“The key will be for us having to rebound well. They’ll score underneath if you let them.”

Tip-off for the Lake Providence-Ferriday varsity girls’ game is at 6 p.m.

Abron said she has faith that Ferriday will indeed avenge the earlier loss to Lake Providence and that the home crowd will be a big factor.

And winning the district championship is just one of the goals this team set out before the season got under way.

“We still have a chance to tie it up. We might get lucky if someone beats Lake Providence,” Abron said. “We try to improve each year. We set out a goal to win more games than we did last year. We haven’t gotten there yet. Who knows? It might take us as far as we can in the playoffs.”