Connie Allen is used to watching her Johnstown-Monroe High School girls basketball team press opponents into submission and push the ball up the court.

However, that game plan may change.

The Johnnies only have 14 players in the program -- seven on both the varsity and junior varsity teams -- leaving the sixth-year coach scrambling for answers as the season draws near.

"We usually want to full-court press and run, but the bench isn't as deep as usual for us to be able to do that," said Allen, whose team plays a scrimmage Tuesday at Heath and opens Nov. 30 with a non-league game at Thornville Sheridan. "Hopefully we don't have problems with injuries or illness, or it could really take a toll on us."

The Johnnies lost four of five starters from last season to graduation.

Graduate Chelsea Cannon finished second in the program in career points (911) and rebounds (669). Stacy Wright, a 1997 graduate who is Cannon's cousin, is tops with 1,118 points and 698 rebounds.

The only returning starter is 5-foot-5 point guard Courtney Dingess, who is also the only senior on the team.

"I have to be the leader and that means not letting the others get down on themselves and trying to help everyone out," said Dingess, whose team finished 11-11 overall after losing to Grandview 48-40 on Feb. 25 in a second-round Division III district game at Delaware.

The only returnees with much playing time last season are Dingess and junior guard Holly Sammons, a part-time starter. Junior Lydia Ulrey, a 5-9 junior, was a key contributor off the bench before suffering a torn ACL after having six rebounds in a 57-38 win over Mansfield Christian in late December.

Sarah Scovell, a 5-9 junior forward, was lost for the season with a broken femur after she went for a rebound in the second quarter of a 66-33 win over Northridge in the first week of December.

But those injuries opened the door for freshman Sarah Thomas's first taste of varsity action.

The 5-10 sophomore averaged 1.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game after moving up from j.v. in late January.

"We need to find someone to complement Dingess or else everyone will just be focusing on her," said Allen of Dingess, who averaged 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.6 steals per game last year. "We have so many kids stepping into new roles and it a key for us will be how they make the transition into those roles."

Hannah Farley and Katelyn Sapp, both junior guards, will also play on the varsity.

"It can be tough (not having many players) because we do get tired sometimes," Dingess said. "But we also like it because everyone gets to play more."

And that small roster has already brought about a tight-knit unity on the team.

In the MBC last season, the Johnnies tied for third with Danville at 9-5, behind Utica (12-2) and Loudonville (11-3) and ahead of Centerburg (7-7), followed by Fredericktown (5-9), East Knox (3-11) and Northridge (0-14).

"You'll always have Utica playing well and they always seem to reload over there for (coach) Michelle (Snow)," said Allen, whose team opens league play Dec. 3 at Danville and Dec. 5 at home against Utica. "And Loudonville didn't lose much from last year, so they could also be at the top of the league.

Courtney Dingess, a 5-foot-5 point guard, is the only returning starter and only senior for the Johnnies. Johnstown opens its season on Nov. 30 against Thornville Sheridan.

Lydia Ulrey, a 5-9 junior, missed most of last season after suffering a knee injury.

Schedule

Nov. 30 at Thornville Sheridan

*Dec. 3 at Danville

*Dec. 5 vs. Utica

Dec. 9 vs. Gilead Christian

*Dec. 12 at East Knox

*Dec. 17 vs. Northridge

*Dec. 19 at Loudonville

Dec. 23 at Licking Valley

*Jan. 7 at Fredericktown

*Jan. 9 vs. Centerburg

Jan. 11 at Mansfield Christian

*Jan. 16 vs. Danville

*Jan. 21 at Utica

*Jan. 23 vs. East Knox

Jan. 27 at Grandview

*Jan. 30 at Northridge

*Feb. 4 vs. Loudonville

*Feb. 6 vs. Fredericktown

Feb. 8 vs. Granville

*Feb. 13 at Centerburg

*MBC contest

At a glance

•Coach: Connie Allen, sixth season

•Opener: Nov. 30 at Thornville Sheridan

•Key players: Courtney Dingess, Holly Sammons, Sarah Thomas and Lydia Ulrey