Bishop Gorman High School girls basketball coach Sheryl Krmpotich doesn't worry much about the competition. She prefers to spend her time focusing on her own team.
The Gaels went 31-1 to win their first state championship last season, and Krmpotich is focused on ensuring that they retain that title this year.
The coach said she thinks she has a roster capable of pulling off the task, despite the fact that everyone in town will be aiming to knock her team off.
"We've always had a target on our back anyway, no matter what," said Krmpotich, whose team has been a Sunset Region powerhouse for years. "Everyone always guns for Bishop Gorman."
There's been considerable talk this season about perennial northwest power Centennial, due to the return of coach Karen Weitz. The Bulldogs and the Gaels have battled some classic duels over the years, but Krmpotich said she's being careful not to get caught up in the hype.
"The best part of basketball is that you always have to have a rivalry," said Krmpotich, whose team expects to see the Bulldogs in the playoffs. "No matter what, when we play Centennial you know it's going to be a great game."
Centennial is not the only squad capable of dethroning the Gaels. Krmpotich noted that Durango returns all of last year's starting lineup, and Bonanza appears to be a growing threat in the Sunset Region.
Gorman will counter with a group of seven returners that includes three of last year's starters.
Even so, Krmpotich's players are a bit less confident than their coach. Although they said they believe they'll repeat as champions, they think this season will be tougher.
"Last year's (championship) makes it twice as hard," said point guard Kaila Goff, one of two seniors on the team. "Everyone wants to come out and play their best game against us."
The Gaels, who were ranked 17th in the nation at the end of last season, will play almost all of their nonconference games on the road as they'll be traveling out of state to take on national-level competition.
Although the heavy road schedule may create inconveniences and challenges, Krmpotich said she thinks it will make her squad stronger in the end.
"I actually think it's an advantage," she said. "When we go out of town and play these quality teams, it makes us more prepared to come back and beat the better teams here."
Senior forward Brittany Bridges said the tough preparation will lead the Gaels toward their ultimate goal.
"I think the team will be great," said Bridges, who said she is unconcerned that the Gaels lost three key players to graduation in the spring. "We just want to go out and prove (the first state title) wasn't a fluke."
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