Anticipation is high this year for the Mathews High School girls’ varsity basketball team as it returns the top seven players from the team that made it to the regional semifinals last year.

Included in the returning players are three first- and second-team Tidewater All District selections. Head coach Robert Thomas returns as head coach, joined by assistant J.C. Jarvis. Coach Thomas also welcomes a new addition to his coaching staff in MHS alumna Allie Bridge.

Leading the way this year for the Lady Blue Devils are seniors Ashley Forrest, Sharese Jarvis, Lindsay Collins, Maggie Scribe and Sarah Burnette. Collins is still recovering from an injury sustained in the last game of the 2009-10 season. She hopes to return to full strength by mid-December.

Kaitlin Eriksen is the returning junior, joined by fellow classmates Angela Sale and Sydney Morgan. Returning 10th graders are Taylor Denton, Mackenzie Moughon and Shelby Ware. Moughon and Ware got a late start during tryouts, ...