Two-time defending state champion St. Louis has a new look this year after the graduation of three starters from last year’s team.

The Saints are off to a 4-1 start and will look to keep building momentum this week with a busy schedule that begins with a nondistrict game at Sulphur (3-0) tonight. The Saints will also take part in the Hamilton Christian/Showdown in the Lake tournament this weekend.

Head coach Tony Johnson said his trio of new starters – Ava Brickman, Ragan Kee and Laci Moton – have impressed so far.

“I think the young kids are coming around pretty good, we just need to rebound a little more,” he said.

“I’m pretty happy with where we are at right now. We had a big win over Ponchatoula last week. Moton, Delaney Williams, Emma Gregory have stepped up really well. Brickman played JV last year and now has a starting role and has been consistent. We’re playing hard on the defensive end. That’s one thing that they have bought into. They know from years before that we are going to play defense and we are going to play hard.”

Johnson said he’s looking forward to a week of games against quality opponents.

“I’m hoping we see some maturity from the young girls who are getting an opportunity to play in big games,” he said. “All of these games are going to have a district or playoff game atmosphere. We need to prepare the girls for that in order to have success in the postseason.”

The Saints are led by returning all state guard Paris Guillory, who had 30 points and 14 rebounds in last week’s win over Merryville. Kee and Gabbie Link combined for 24 points in that game, with Kee adding 11 rebounds.

Sulphur has started the season with a trio of wins while allowing only 20 points per game.