NUCLA – Despite the loss of three seniors, first-year Nucla High School girls' basketball coach Mike Epright believes his team has the work ethic to play well this season and build a basketball program that has struggled in the past.

Last season, Epright said the Mustangs finished in the middle of the San Juan Basin League pack and then came up short in the regional tournament. With the start of the 2010/2011 season coming with the Mountain Shootout in Ridgway on Dec. 3-4, Epright’s team is working on fundamentals every day and getting its offense and defense set to play.

“Basically, we are working hard on trying to establish a good man-to-man defense,” Epright said after the completion of his team’s first week of practice. "We are in the process of getting through a lot of fundamentals. There are so many little things in basketball that need to be done right to be able to compete.”

At the start of practice, he said a total of 13 girls came out to practice. Unfortunately, Epright said three returning starters, one of them a senior, are not returning this year because of one has an injury and two players are moving away.

While that may be disappointing, Epright is excited about the upcoming season and already likes what he is seeing on the court.

“This team is made up of a bunch of players who are willing to work hard and listen,” he said. “I believe this hard work at practice will come into play mid-season where it will pay off for us…We are going to be able to play in some tough games and compete this season.”

Nucla faces Olathe, Fruita-Monument and Norwood before the winter break, followed by games against Mancos, Ouray and Ridgway when they return.

As far as setting team goals, Epright leaves that to his players.

“They will set their own team goals, but I am sure those goals will include making it out of districts and making the playoffs,” he said.