Sometimes, the best way to negate a size disadvantage is to run around it.

That’s the plan with the Moffat County High School girls varsity basketball for this season.

The team’s offense will hinge on outside shooting and being able to push the ball up the court.

The defense will need to focus on clamping down other team’s outside shooting to make the size disadvantage moot.

Junior Callie Papoulas said being smaller than other teams isn’t necessarily a disadvantage.

“We have a lot of speed, not a lot of height,” she said. “We just need to outrun everyone.”

Despite losing both starting guards to graduation, MCHS will have some varsity experience on the wing.

Senior Amanda Snyder returns, as does Justine Hathhorn, who saw time on the court for the varsity last year.

Hathhorn said the jump from JV to varsity was a big one, so any experience went a long way toward making her a better player.

“It’s more intense,” she said. “It’s faster.”

Although this year could be viewed as a rebuilding season for the Bulldogs, with solid play from the guards, Moffat County could come together quickly.

The Bulldogs have a number of young guards ready to contribute.

Juniors Callie Papoulas and Nike Cleverly can be counted on from the shooting guard position.

In a vote among the guards, Snyder was picked as the top marksmen from 3-point range, and Cleverly was selected as the best defender.

Last year, Moffat County finished with a record of 16-9 overall and 12-2 in the Western Slope League, good for second place the WSL.

This year shouldn’t be too different from last year in terms of competitive teams in the league, Cleverly said.

“We know which teams will be tough and which teams will be weak,” Cleverly said. “That usually doesn’t change from year to year.”

Moffat County can expect Glenwood Springs (20-4 overall, 14-1 in league in 2008-2009), Rifle (16-8 overall, 11-4 in league) and Delta (7-13 overall, 6-8 in league) to again be tough competition.

Despite last year’s 4-10 league record, Moffat County will also have to deal with Steamboat Springs High School.

The Sailors should have a loaded frontcourt, but Moffat County might be able to outrun them with a slew of quick guards.

And, the team could have an advantage other teams can’t see coming.

“This team clicks well,” Cleverly said. “We all know each other well, we know our moves. We’re very tight on the court.”

Having a close team goes a long ways for a team looking to prove itself in a tough league, Snyder said.

“This team meshes well,” she said. “We have the speed to get through.”