The bad news for head coach Bruce Pickle’s Adams County Christian Lady Rebels varsity basketball team is it is in a rebuilding season.

The good news is that they don’t have to play in a class and a district against powerhouse teams from Jackson.

This season, ACCS will play in MPSA District South 4-3A and its district opponents are Centreville, Silliman and Central Private.

The 1999-2000 Lady Rebels finished 20-11 overall and 6-4 in MPSA South 4-4A, good enough for third place. They were eliminated in the first round of the district tournament by Hillcrest.

However, this year will be much different. Gone from last year’s squad are six seniors, five of which were in the starting lineup.

&uot;I’m not sure who will be starting yet. We’re going to be real young,&uot; Pickle said. &uot;We’ve had a lot of injuries and a lot of players out sick.&uot;

Two seniors, guard Holli Hankins and guard/forward Beth Robertson, and one junior, guard Brandi Case, all of whom came off the bench last season, will be starters this season, he said.

As to how he feels about his team’s chances of winning the district title, Pickle said, &uot;This year, I’m not sure.&uot;

He said how successful this year’s squad can be will depend on two things – defense and rebounding, especially against Silliman and Central Private.

&uot;Silliman and Central Private are the teams to beat in our district,&uot; he said. &uot;They both have good teams. Silliman won Overall last season. They lost three seniors from last year’s team, but they still have two seniors starting.

&uot;We played against Centreville last year,&uot; he added. &uot;They will be better than they were last year.&uot;

Pickle said in order for his team to have a successful season, his team has to &uot;make a commitment to working hard, practice as hard as they play and concentrate. They can be as good as they want to be.&uot;

The Lady Rebels’ season starts Monday when they host Prentiss at 6 p.m. the Rebel gym.H