The Delaware Hayes High School girls basketball team will attempt to make the transition to life without a pair of 6-foot-2 post players by moving to more of a transition style of offense.

"We knew what our strength was last year and for the past three years, and we went to it," fourth-year coach Erin Margraf. "This season, we think our strength will be our quickness, athleticism and depth and that's perfectly suited for a more up-tempo offense and aggressive defense."

The Pacers finished last season 22-1 overall, losing to Pickerington North 56-48 in a Division I district semifinal March 3 at Olentangy Orange. The Pacers won the OCC-Capital Division at 12-0, ahead of New Albany (9-3), Big Walnut (8-4), Mount Vernon (7-5), Orange (4-8) and Franklin Heights and Watkins Memorial (both 1-11).

They lost four players to graduation, including three starters in post players Makeda Matthews and Anasa Matthews and shooting guard Brittany Skeens.

Makeda Matthews led the team in scoring (15.4) and rebounding (10.4) and was first-team all-district. Anasa Matthews averaged 13.4 points and 9.4 rebounds. Skeens was the defensive catalyst and also averaged 9.8 points and 4.5 assists. Anasa Matthews and Skeens were honorable mention all-district.

The trio helped Delaware produce its first perfect regular season since 1977-78. The Pacers finished sixth in the final state poll. The 22 consecutive wins tied the program record set in 1995-96 when that team lost its opener, then won 22 games before losing to finish 22-2.

The program record for victories in a season was established in 1983-84 when the Pacers went 23-2. Despite all those accomplishments, last year's squad could not achieve its top goal of winning a district title for the first times since 1988.

The goals will be a little different this season.

"The first goal is to repeat as league champions," Margraf said. "We haven't won consecutive league championships since 1983 and 1984. We want to finish above .500 overall and we want to play in a district championship.

"I think we have a lot of talent, but we're young. I truly believe we'll see them grow by leaps and bounds. If they get better every single week, we can obtain our goals."

Delaware returns five letterwinners, including two starters in senior point guard Chelsie Burden and junior guard/forward Caroline Welker.

"Obviously, we lost a lot, but I think we have everything we need at every position to have another successful season," Burden said. "We want to win the league again, but it'll be tough because New Albany returns every starter and Orange and Big Walnut should be tough, too."

Burden averaged 7.0 points and 4.3 assists, and Welker averaged 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds.

"Chelsie is our lone senior and she's going to have to be a leader," Margraf said. "She's a scrappy, go-get-it player. Caroline can play anywhere we need her on the floor. She's 5-9 but can fill any spot. That versatility is great for what we're doing. I can mix and match now and we have some really quick, athletic girls who can play in rotations."

Also returning are junior guard Cindy Bowman, sophomore point guard Paige Stimmel and 6-3 junior center Corsica Barber. Rounding out the roster are junior guards Taylor Franklin and Angela Bingaya, sophomore guard/forward Keshawna Ximines and freshman forward Bethany Naegele.

"A lot of these girls have never played together before, so that is one drawback about playing as many girls as we plan to," Margraf said. "But they've jelled well in practice and we're anxious to see how it works for real."