By KIM NORTH

BRIDGEPORT — The Bridgeport girls’ program has been one of the top small school units in the past decade, but the Bulldogs will have an entirely new look this season under first-year head coach Greg Harkness, who takes over for Rob Zitzelsberger.

Gone is the school’s all-time leading scorer in Caitlyn Kroll, who tallied more than 2,000 points in her illustrious career. In addition, the St. Francis, Pa., freshman was the Bulldogs’ leading rebounder, assist person and shot nearly 90 percent from the free-throw line. She suffered a knee injury late in her senior year which she has recovered from.

“Obviously, we are trying to replace a 2,000-point scorer in Caitlyn,” Harkness said. “She was everyone’s security blanket. We also lost two other starters in Courtney Trouten and Justine Schell that were part of a very successful senior class.

“We are very inexperienced right now with only three girls that saw significant varsity action last season. But this group is fun to coach though, and they put a lot of time in over the summer. I think this is a group that will continue to improve as the season develops. We are still learning our roles and how to play with each other. We’ll have some growing pains that will challenge our mental toughness. If we are up to that task, we can definitely reach the goals we have set for ourselves.”

The Bulldogs have four returning letterwinners from a season ago, which includes senior Deja Massey. The 5-10 center is a two-year letterwinner. She will be counted on for leadership, offensive scoring and defensive rebounding.

“We need Deja to really assert herself in the post on both ends of the court,” Harkness said. “She has a ton of ability, but her biggest thing is being more consistent. She’s our most experienced player and we need her to play that way.”

Earning letters last year were juniors Marissa Beal and Kamden Dulesky, along with sophomore Angela Sommer.

“Marissa really became more aggressive throughout the summer and we need her to keep that mentality,” the coach said of the 5-5 guard. “She’s an excellent defender. I think you’ll see her emerge as one of the better players in the area.”

Dulesky is a 5-11 leaper who is coming off a very good volleyball campaign.

“Kamden has unbelievable athletic ability,” Harkness said. “She’s such a versatile player than can play on the perimeter or in the post. She became one of the premiere volleyball players in the valley, and I think you’ll see her emerge this winter on the basketball court.”

Sommer is a 5-2 guard that shows pure hustle.

“We need Angela to step into the point guard role for us and run the team,” Harkness stressed. “She’s a good ballhandler and a solid defender. She made good strides over the summer and we need her to continue to do so.”

Also vying for time in the backcourt as 5-1 senior Josie Bugaj, 5-5 junior Lauren Neer and 5-5 freshman Jaren Tucker. Bugaj and Neer are first-year varsity players, while Tucker transferred from Martins Ferry.

Two seniors are battling for playing time in the post. They are Samantha Ivan and Sydney Kloss, both of whom stand 5-10 and played JV last season.

A pair of juniors are in the mix at forward, but one will have to wait some time until a knee injury heals. They are 5-4 Keiasha Harmon and 5-4 Shelby Matheny.

Matheny will be sidelined indefinitely, however.

Rounding out the varsity roster is 5-3 junior Kristina Butler. She will also dress for JV action.

Returning to the bench as assistant coach is Jason Hanson, while Kristina Staggs will lead the freshman squad.