With three freshmen and two sophomores, the Mehlville girls basketball team will be a work in progress this season.

“We are a young team,” head coach Chris Cook said. “There are only three returning varsity players. We have always looked at this as a process.”

Last year Mehlville finished 12-14, and one of the team goals this season is to be above .500. Though still early in the season, that goal seems possible, as the Panthers are currently 3-4 on the young season – as of The Call’s press time.

Mehlville has earned back-to-back wins over DeSoto and STEAM Academy at MS-Berkely.

So far on the season, Jessica Castaldi is leading the way, averaging just over 10 points per game. She was named secondteam All-Conference last season, and is one of three returning seniors. Emma Angeles and Lamija Ugarak are also returning for Mehlville.

While the Panthers’ offense may be a work in progress, Cook said the team’s defense will be stout.

“In the last four years, we have taken pride in our defense,” he said. “We want to continue to strive to get better on the defensive side.”