DELTA GIRLS SEEK ELUSIVE DISTRICT TITLE

Delta girls basketball has a new coach, Amy Blattel, but the old foe, Scott County Central, is still around.

Blattel, who was an assistant coach last season at Delta, said her team's goal this year is to win a district title. Jim Gloth was Delta's coach last year.

"We're looking for big things," Blattel said. "We want to win our district. It's our No. 1 concern, along with the conference."

Scott County Central, which has won seven Class 1A state titles since 1982, beat the Lady Bobcats in the district championship game last year.

Delta, which must be the only team in the state in which half of its players have the same first name -- four of Delta's eight players are named Amanda -- finished the season with a 16-6 record.

Delta lost all-district selection Jody Below and honorable mention pick Paula Eftink to graduation.

But four players are returning who started games last season. The team has five seniors and three juniors. Each played on the varsity team last year.

"Everybody has seen playing time on the varsity last year so we are experienced," Blattel said.

The leading returning scorer is senior Erin Eftink. The 5-foot-7 post player averaged about nine points per game.

Amanda McDaniel, a 5-6 senior forward, was an honorable mention all-conference selection last season. Marianne Cook, a 5-6 senior guard, started, along with 5-6 senior forward Amanda Thompson.

Amanda Cook, a 5-5 junior, will complete the starting five and will play point guard.

Delta's strengths will be its "post play, and we've got pretty quick guards this year," Blattel said.

Kim Hinkebein, a 5-7 senior post player, will be the first player off the bench.

The remaining reserves are 5-7 junior Kristen Fish and 5-6 junior Amanda Hester.

Delta is the defending conference champion.