By STEVE MAZZONE

Call Sports Writer

WOONSOCKET — In its final game of the season last year, the Mount St. Charles girls' basketball team lost by nearly 30 points in the Division II playoffs.

While she would have liked a more favorable outcome then her squad's 51-24 loss to eventual state champion Barrington High in the opening round tilt, MSC head coach Nina Morey looked at the experience as a positive one.
After struggling to a combined four wins in their first two seasons in the league, she felt that the fact her Mounties’  opportunity to play the top-seeded Eagles was a step in the right direction.
"I think we have improved," said Morey, whose 2006-07 squad comprised a 7-11 mark in its third season in D-II. "Every year we have made small improvements. We are looking to build on that."
The Mounties have lost five seniors from last year's team. This season they'll be relying on their youth. Judging by its most recent experience in that aspect, the signs are looking good.
"The junior high team did really well last season. They were undefeated and went all the way to the playoffs," Morey said. "The JV team did well, also, going undefeated. We have a lot of young talent that has come up."
Key returning players for the Mounties are senior Kelly Ryan, a small forward and the team's leading scorer last year, and senior Pam Dunton, who splits time as a center and forward.
"Both saw action as varsity starters last year," Morey said.
The sophomore tandem of guard Mary Oftring and center Nicole Turcotte will be counted on to lead the youth. Both were swing players on the '06-'07 squad.
"(Nicole) and Mary are just solid basketball players," Morey said. "They both play year round. They both play on AAU teams. They both have basketball knowledge and good skills.
Eliza Foresti, a junior varsity player last year, will act as the Mounties' point guard.
"She sees the floor very well," Morey said. "She's an excellent passer. She has great ball-handling skills.
Freshman newcomers Marie Saia, Tessa Jacobs and Nicole Stacy are other players that should figure in the mix.
It will be a different squad as last year, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, according to Morey.
"In terms of last year," she said, "they're just more solid in the knowledge of the game and their fundamental skills. These kids are young and they have a lot of desire. They are highly motivated."
Mount will compete in D-II North, which has a bevy of strong and talented squads. In last year's playoffs, five of the seven team earned a spot in the postseason. Morey list Burrillville, Scituate, Smithfield and a much-improved Woonsocket squad as the strengths of the league.
Mount will begin its season with a non-leaguer at Classical this Friday. After playing another non-league contest at Middletown on Monday, the Mounties will be tested right away in their league opener at Smithfield Wednesday night. The Sentinels, a consistent power, made it all the way to the D-II semifinal last year before they were ousted by eventual state runner-up Scituate.
Morey's goals are simple as the Mounties begin their latest campaign on the hardwoods.
"I always look to improve on the year before," she said. "Last year we made it to the first round. Getting more league wins and advancing further than last year in the playoffs would be a good season."