The Pleasantville Trojans will open the 2022 varsity girls basketball season with a 7:30 p.m. non-conference affair on the road against the Saydel Eagles Monday. The Trojans under the direction of head coach Jeff Cook turned in a record of 12-10 a year ago.

The Trojans were a senior dominated team a year ago and Cook will be building the team from scratch again this year.

Back from the 2021-2022 Trojan squad is one returning starter to build the team around. The starter returning is Azell Smith, who led the team in steals, while averaging nearly five points per game.

Other players returning for Pleasantville who saw a lot of court time last year include Joelle Johnson, a guard, and Hope DeMan, a front line player. Both of them were freshmen last year. Johnson was the third leading scorer on the team. Johnson averaged 8.9 points per game. She was also second on the team in steals.

Among the players who will be tough to replace in the lineup is Malorie McKinney, who led the team in scoring, blocked shots and rebounds. Cook said McKinney was steady on the defensive end of the court.

 DeMan is being looked at as the Trojan leader in regard to hitting the boards and attacking the middle offensively.

A year ago the Trojans beat Saydel 69-35. Pleasantville will be back in action Tuesday facing Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont at home. EBF topped the Trojans last year 64-45.

Pleasantville is a little thin with only 10 players on the varsity lineup.