Head Coach: Chris Manick

2006 Season: 3-18 (2-10, 6th place North East Michigan Conference)

Returning players: Margaret Negro, sr. (C); Heather Spenceley, sr. (G); Heather Patterson, jr. (F); Tiffany Rios, jr. (G); Krystin Inman, jr. (G)

New to varsity: Susan Miller, sr. (F); Brianna Stagg, sr. (F); Sarah Inman, jr. (F); Dawn Fettes, jr. (F); Megan Zarachowicz, so. (G); Nicole Shugart, so. (F); Abby Samotis, so. (G).

Outlook: Chris Manick, who took over mid-season in 2006, begins his first full season as the Owls' coach and has what looks to be the most athletic Oscoda team in a long time. Granted, the Owls haven't had a lot of success over the years in girls basketball, but Manick believes this year's team should continue what has been a slow but steady improvement over the past five or so years.

"I like where we're at," Manick said. "We're definitely becoming more competitive and I think we should be able to scare some teams this year that we haven't in the past."

The Owls return five players, including three multi-year starters. Senior Margaret Negro gives the Oscoda an imposing post presence that could give them the advantage in the middle against every team on their schedule except Tawas. Heather Spenceley, another senior, has been the starting point guard since she was a freshmen and is a defensive whirlwind. Heather Patterson, a third-year starter as a junior, was the team's leading scorer last year and is the team's best overall athlete. Junior guards Tiffany Rios and Krystin Inman also return.

"We're looking for our seniors to lead us," Manick said, "but we have strong junior and sophomore classes. We're still going through growing pains, but I'm hoping the success the volleyball team had this fall rubs off."