A new head coach is taking the reins of the Mehlville Senior High School girls’ basketball team.

Departed is former head coach Ed Feibig, who left the Panthers to attend to his family after racking up a record of 102-35 over five seasons along with two Suburban West Conference championships and a trip to the Class 5 state quarterfinal last season.

Despite the loss of Feibig, the Panthers will be in good hands this season as former Oakville standout and assistant coach Laura Bishop takes over as the team’s new head coach. Bishop spent the past seven years as an assistant coach at Oakville, so it’s without question that the move from her alma mater to its biggest rival has been an interesting transition.

“It’s been a weird transition going from Oakville to Mehlville, but I really am enjoying it,” Bishop told the Call. “I’ve been fortunate to have a good coaching staff to work with me. So I’m very excited, but nervous and anxious to see us play.”

Bishop will have a lot of help this season from four solid returning starters from last year’s team that went 28-2 overall with an 8-0 mark in Suburban West Conference play. Returning this season are seniors Kayla and Alyse Gordon, senior Laquisha Lewis and junior Liamesha Lewis.

Alyse Gordon is the team’s top returning scoring threat from last season after averaging 13 points and 5.4 rebounds a game. The senior forward/guard led the Panthers with 143 assists while also recording 44 steals and 33 blocked shots.

“Alyse is much more of a vocal leader and works very well off of the ball,” Bishop said. “She’s great at anticipating things on the court.”

Alyse’s twin sister, Kayla, averaged 10.5 points and 5.0 rebounds a game last season while also racking up 84 assists, 52 steals and 28 blocked shots. But Kayla Gordon may not see action until the beginning of December due to a knee injury.

“Kayla’s going to be a leader on the floor for us,” Bishop said. “Even though she’s been injured, she’s been on the sidelines learning the offense. She’s almost serving as a student-coach right now because she gives us a lot of good input.”

Laquisha Lewis is the third returning player who averaged in double figures last year with 10 points and 2.3 rebounds a game. The senior guard also recorded 32 assists, 51 steals and 31 blocked shots as a junior.

“Laquisha’s athleticism and basketball ability is just awesome,” Bishop said.

Liamesha Lewis averaged 2.3 points and 1.5 rebounds a game last season, and the head coach believes that Liamesha is the most improved player on the team this year.

“Liamesha’s going to be a huge factor for us this year,” Bishop said. “Of all of our returning starters, she’s improved the most. She’s a good three guard that can also bang with the post players.”

Senior power forward Jennifer Sahr also will figure into the starting lineup as she takes over Kayla Gordon’s position for the first few weeks of the season.

Mehlville will face Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at home.