STATESBORO, Ga. () — The Statesboro girls’ basketball team is in a bit of a rebuild after losing star Alyssa Staten to graduation last year.

So far this year, the Lady Blue Devils are 7-8 overall and 2-0 in the region. They are currently alone in first place, but have not played Bradwell Institute yet.

Coach Marty Holder said Statesboro is used to being one of the top ten teams in the state, but this year they have to fight a little bit. He called his team scrappy and says they want to continue playing with grit.

“At the beginning of the season,” Holer said, “A fan told me, ‘Seeing us play the first game said, I don’t think y’all win a game this year.’ I told him, ‘Now, look at us.’ We’re sparking out wins right now because we’re getting better. They’re coming to work every day. They’re doing the work. They’re not complaining and are building off each other. And as long as we’re doing that, I know that we will continue seeing success in this program.”

Statesboro will look to remain perfect in region play on Saturday, Jan. 11, when they face Effingham County at home at 5 p.m.