Melrose eigth-grader Caley Barnard goes up for a layup after a breakway against Clovis Lady Wildcats at the Clovis Scrimmage on Nov. 20 at CHS.

• 2009-10 record: 9-12

• Coach: Toby Bostwick, 2nd year

• District: 3-1A

• State titles: 1984, 1983, 1982, 1976

• Last state tournament appearance: 2008, lost to Des Moines in regionals

• Top returning players: Liz Green, F, 5-7, Sr.; Kendra Jacobs, G, 5-7, Jr.; Kelsey Draper, G, 5-7, Jr.; Cara Barnard, PG, 5-7, So.; Pam Carrol, G, 5-3, Jr.; July Allen, P, 5-7, Jr., Taryn Tate, G, 5-7, Fr.

• Top newcomers: Caley Barnard, G, 5-10, 8th; Victoria Northrup, P, 5-6, Fr.

• Outlook: Opponents will have another Barnard to worry about this season as 5-10 eighth-grader Caley Barnard joins sophomore PG Cara Barnard for the Buffaloes, who will rely on a strong backcourt and good 3-point shooting to make up for a lack of height. Cara Barnard averaged 16 points a game last season and will also be counted on to distribute the ball in Melrose’s uptempo offense. “She’s a great athlete. She’s got another year experience, which should only make her better.” Caley Barnard is good shooter with range, Bostwick said. “I’m very excited about her.” Junior guards and returning starters Kendra Jacobs (11 ppg) and Kelsey Draper (9 ppg) add firepower. Senior Liz Green, junior July Allen and freshman Victoria Northrup will play inside for the Buffs, who only have one player taller than 5-7. “We can guard the post, I’m not worried about that. And we’ll post everybody up a bit and try to draw fouls.” Bostwick said turnovers were the team’s undoing last season.

• Three’s not a crowd: With the creation of Class 1B, Melrose will play in a three-team district this season with Fort Sumner and Logan. “It’s not going to be as competitive as it used to be,” said Bostwick, who helped Melrose win back-to-back Class 1A state titles under Jimmy Joe Robinson in 1992 and 1993. For decades Melrose played in a district that included Floyd, Dora, Elida and at times Fort Sumner, Tatum and Texico. Bostwick jokingly referred to the old district as the ‘Big East.’

• Coach’s comment: “The girls are doing really well. They really had a good summer and are working hard.” — Bostwick.