Photo Provided PICTURED IS the 2020-21 River Pilots girls basketball team. Front row, from left, are Kylie Piatt, Emily Smith, Hanna Raper and Kelsey Harlan. Middle row, from left, are Karon Pfalzgraf, Tessa Prim, Rylee Knight and Chloe Honeycutt. Top row, from left, are assistant coach Fred King, head coach Rick Isaly and assistant coach Dean Caldwell.

HANNIBAL – Youth is definitely being served with the River girls’ hoop program this winter.

Veteran coach Rick Isaly has just one senior and one junior on his roster. That Pilot inexperience is compounded by a lack of numbers as just nine players are at his disposal.

Isaly, who has enjoyed much success during his tenure at his alma mater including a pair of OVAC championships in the past three years, remains optimistic about his team’s fortunes.

“It has been tough having a full practice with a lack of numbers, injuries and the COVID situation,” Isaly said. “We are an extremely young team but when we get everyone playing I like this team.”

River, which went 8-13 a year ago, lost just one player through graduation, albeit a very good one. Alli Long, a 5-10 center, was a four-year starter and a force in the paint for Isaly. Her toughness and leadership will be missed.

River’s lone senior this winter is a good one in Emily Smith. The 5-9 forward is a returning starter.

“Emily is a hard-worker, plays good defense and a strong rebounder. We will also count on her for leadership,” Isaly said.

The lone junior is Kylie Piatt and, like Smith, is a solid returning starter. She is a 5-4 wing.

The sophomore class features four players, with one being cast in the role of returning starter, and all four expecting to be solid contributors.

Hannah Raper was the Pilots’ starting point guard last winter. She is a 5-6 dynamo.

Delaney Boger is a 5-4 letter-winning guard. She was first sub off the Pilot bench a year ago.

Rylee Knight, a 5-9 post, brings an inside presence to both ends of the floor for River.

Rounding out the 10th grade group is 5-7 guard Chloe Honeycutt.

A trio of freshmen round out the squad.

Kelsey Harlan is expected to make an immediate impact for the Pilots. She is a 5-5 point guard who Isaly is quite high on.

Karson Pfalzgraf (5-9) is another promising frosh.

Tessa Prim, a 5-8 forward, rounds out the frosh contingent and another player with a high ceiling.

River has added new foes Steubenville, Toronto and Marietta to its always-rugged schedule.

“I really like this team. We have good kids and good athletes,” Isaly said. “Staying healthy and injury free is going to be a big key for us.

Isaly is assisted by two quality basketball minds in Dean Caldwell and Fred King, the longtime successful head coach at Paden City.