Basketball is now back for the Atlantic Trojans girls basketball team who finished the 2023 season with a 9-14 record and second round postseason loss to Cherokee Washington. Last year’s team leaned on the younger side with only one senior, Claire Pellet in the starting five. In order to achieve more and go further into the postseason Atlantic head coach Dan Vargason explained that his team has been taking this year’s offseason very seriously and that gives him confidence in his program.

The way that the Trojans have been attacking the offseason has not been the only positive sign with Atlantic basketball. This more seasoned core returning four starters from last year have also shown a hunger to improve and ability that follows.

As a team last year, the Trojans were shooting at 37.9% from the floor and 55% from the charity stripe. That concise shooting on the floor came from the sharp passes by junior Zoey Kirchoff who led the team in assists last season with 60. Joining Kirchoff for another year of basketball is junior Katrina Williams who tabbed four blocks and 67 rebounds last year. Athletes like Williams and Kirchoff returning adds another layer of experience that coach Vargason is counting on.

Helping lead the Trojans this year will be the lone starting senior and statistical leader in almost all categories, Paytn Harter. Harter last season was the leading scorer with 373 total points, led in blocks with 14, steals at 52, rebounds at 259, and field goal percentage at 63.8% Harter will have high expectations heading into the 2024 season, but coach Vargason believes in Harter’s dynamic ability.

Coming up for Atlantic is their first game of the season at home against a talented Pella Dutch squad. Last year when these two met, Pella won handily 70-43. This year coach Vargason is counting on creating a different outcome and making sure to establish depth for his team.

KJANTV will bring you the coverage of Atlantic’s game against Pella with the pregame show slated to begin at 5:45 p.m.