Adam Winnard is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Seton Catholic Preparatory for AZPreps365.

After a very strong season for the 4A Desert Sky squad last season, the Seton Catholic girls basketball team is working through some new challenges as it heads into this season.

Last campaign, the Sentinels fell in the Open State Championship quarterfinals. With five players returning from last season, head coach Karen Self has lots of faith in this team to take them back to where they ended last season.

“We do have a good core of returning players,” Self said. “We are really hoping to repeat as region champs in the 4A Desert Sky and it’s obviously a goal to make it to the open division.”

There are high expectations for some players this season – one of them being junior Sophie Morales. Morales is strong on both sides of the ball. She led the team last season in assists (159) and steals (76).

She said she has one goal in mind and that is to compete.

“Hopefully, we do better than we did last year and I have noticed a lot of leadership,” Morales said. “We lost a senior last year who carried a lot of leadership on the team, so I’m hoping to see more people step up.”

Another player that is ready for the season is senior Caitlyn Benally. She led the team last season in rebounds (236) and field goal percentage (52). Benally is a force to reckoned with in the paint and from deep.

For Benally, the season could not come quick enough.

“I’m just excited to get back on the court with the team and once we get going, you won’t be able to stop us,” Benally said.

For the first scrimmage of the season, the Sentinels faced a knowingly tough Pinnacle squad. The Pioneers finished last season 23-6 and finished first in 6A Desert Valley. The Sentinels’ regular season started Nov. 17 on the road against Coconino. Seton Catholic won 62-39, and will next face Flagstaff Nov. 18 at Flagstaff.