WINONA LAKE – Last season was a season of hope, literally and figuratively, for the Lakeland Christian Academy girls basketball team.

Finishing above .500 for the first time in the IHSAA era at 12-11, LCA bridged a gap it had sought from the start of the season. A five-point loss, however, to arch rival Bethany Christian in the sectional left the Cougars without that signature first tournament win and leaves a huge goal for the upcoming campaign.

Coach Allison Kauffman returns for her third season in Winona Lake, winning 24 games in her first two years on the bench. Kauffman will have a bevy of talented returners in tow, namely senior Hope Fancil, who is one of the more dynamic scorers in the area.

Fancil had herself quite a maiden voyage with LCA as a junior after transferring from Warsaw. In 19 games, Fancil had an impressive statline of 18.5 points per night to go with 4.3 steals, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.2 assists per game. She was a game changer, scoring at least 20 points in nine contests, including a career-high 31 against Cornerstone Christian and had at least five steals in eight different games, a whopping 10 in a win over Trader’s Point.

An offseason to help strengthen her surgically repaired knee should only help Fancil get better.

“Hope will continue to make a difference on the offensive end,” Kauffman said. “Her ability to attack the basket and versatility to shoot the three is an asset to us. She can create opportunities for her teammates and we are looking forward to having multiple threats this year.”

LCA will deeply miss its floor captain in the graduation of Melissa Goss, who is currently on the Grace College basketball roster. Goss took 5.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 4.7 steals per night with her, but also the leadership on and off the court that held LCA together. Kauffman points to Anna Reimink to help fill that void, as well as several others coming off a successful fall soccer campaign to continue the movement.

“We will miss Mel this year, but we are looking forward to some girls filling her shoes,” stated Kauffman. “We have a great class of senior leaders who will set the tone for working hard in practices and games. Anna Reimink will fill our point guard position. She sees the floor well and we are looking forward to have her transition to that role.

“Jess Slone and Brady Gross will be crucial for us inside with their ability to rebound offensive and score in the paint. Hope and Tori Calizo will be threats on the outside with their ability to shoot the three and their ability to take the ball to the basket and finish strong inside.”

Kauffman also points to players like Maddie Paris and Abby Fishel to help off the bench.

LCA will start up conference play for the first time this year, and gets the luxury of beginning its season at home in four of its first five contests. The season opener is Tuesday, Nov. 7 against Cornerstone Christian.