EPHRATA — Ephrata girls basketball is young (read, "no seniors"), undersized, and returns just one starter from last year's 0-21 season. So Tiger head coach Alain Black doesn't mince words when she says: Let the rebuild begin.

Her assessment may be blunt, but Black – now in her fourth year leading the program – also sees a group that is "ready to grow."

And that is encouraging.

"We are a young team without much varsity playing time," Black said. "But I see lots of potential with this team. They bring a good energy to practice and are a lot of fun to be around and coach."

Last season's winless campaign included an 0-16 record in the Central Washington Athletic Conference. Overall, the Tigers averaged just over 23 points per game while allowing nearly 62 ppg, highlighting the challenge ahead. But with a fresh crop of players gaining experience and a coaching staff focused on development, Black sees progress on the horizon.

Sophomore Jill Linehan is the Lady Tigers' lone returning starter. Joining her on the varsity roster are returning juniors Bailey Falconer, Hannah Malone and Evangeline Springs, along with sophomore Alexis St. Mary. Newcomers expected to see action include sophomores Cassidy Cox, Aiyana Valle and Ellie Kono, and freshmen Maycee Black and Sophie Molitor.

With a young and smaller roster, Black plans focus on what the girls do well. "We are going to have to push the ball and use speed to our advantage against the bigger teams in our league," she said.

She'll get an initial assessment on Tuesday, Dec. 2, when the Lady Tigers open their season at home, hosting Moses Lake in a non-conference matchup that tips off at 5:30 p.m. on Marty O'Brien Court.

With many top athletes graduating last spring, this season's CWAC opponents may see significant changes in their lineups, too. But Black expects Prosser and Ellensburg to remain strong and sees Grandview making a push to improve this season.

Assisting Black on the bench are Diane Truscott, in her fourth year coaching junior varsity, and Mallory Lotz, a first-year coach with the C squad. Black said she's excited about the Tiger program's potential future.

"We are beginning to see those kids come up through our program, and that's bringing a new excitement to girls basketball," she said. "We hope to grow this year while representing our community well."

And basketball runs in Alain Black's family. She was a member of Ephrata's 2000 state championship girls team and now she's watching the next generation follow in her footsteps. Sons Ethan and Cody suited up before graduating in 2022 and 2024, respectively. Ethan then served as an assistant coach for the EHS boys program before leaving on a church mission. Another son, Cooper, is a senior starter on the boys team this season while daughter Maycee joins the varsity girls roster as a freshman. Her youngest, Ellie, a fifth-grader, is already playing youth basketball to keep the family's tradition of hooping it up.