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Arkansas City's newest girls basketball coach isn't used to this.

Roxi Bratcher has a wealth of experience coaching girls basketball, but she spent her time south of the border -- in Oklahoma. So taking the reins with just two weeks of practice before the Lady Bulldogs face Mulvane at 6 p.m. Friday at ACHS is out of the ordinary.

"They start at the first of October," Bratcher said. "But you can even practice an hour a day most of the year around. This is a lot different."

Fortunately for Bratcher, she returns some experienced players. Unfortunately for the first-year head coach, leading scorer Natalie Stinson graduated.

"It'll be an adventure," Bratcher said. "I know we're pretty inexperienced."

Returning with the most experience figure to be Karlye Sturd, a 5-foot-9 junior, and guard Molly Warren, a 5-4 junior.

Just four seniors dot the landscape, 5-6 guard Valerie Bland, 5-5 guard Nikki Jordan, 5-6 guard Erin Osterthun and 5-3 guard Katie Godfrey.

There is a large contingent of freshmen waiting in the wings to get their feet wet. For some, it may come sooner than later.

"There are four pretty good freshmen, and three that are going to have to contribute a lot," Bratcher said.

Mary Brantley, a 6-1 freshman expected to contribute immediately, has been battling foot injuries. Junior Jordan McDowell, at 5-10, is the only other player standing taller than 5-9.

"Mary Brantey is having problems with her arches. I'm hoping that we can get her back (this) week," Bratcher said. "We're small. We do have a little bit of quickness. We'll just have to see. A work in progress."