When will Gilroy High's varsity girls basketball team fully tap into its potential?

If it occurs this season, Shapiro's first as head coach, the Mustangs will have arrived well ahead of schedule.

Led by mostly underclassmen, Gilroy will rely heavily on two sophomores - forward Chelsea Hill and point guard Ashley Lambert - and an ensemble cast of juniors and two true seniors.

"The greatest thing about this team could also be its Achilles' heal," Shapiro said. "It's our youth."

It doesn't hurt that the youngsters know a thing or two about the game.

In four contests, in which Gilroy has gone 2-2, Hill has posted double figures in points and rebounds. She was named to the All-Tournament team at the Turkey Day Classic held last week, as Gilroy went on to take second place.

"She's amazing," Shapiro said. "Honestly, she is the glimmer of hope."

Hope will have plenty of help.

Juniors Laura Steele (6-foot-3), Lindsey Foster and Alana Osaki - technically, Osaki is a senior since she will be graduating a year early - will be making sure Hill doesn't have to do all the dirty work on the inside.

Sophomore Lauren Rhodes will also offer another tall body to make things difficult for opponents in the paint once she returns from injury.

"As soon as she comes back, we'll be even stronger," Hill said.

Guards Sovi Nou, Kristin Costa and Lambert have proven themselves more than capable on the perimeter to start the season, giving Shapiro a solid rotation of eight.

"I think we're just chock-full of potential," Costa said. "I'm excited for this year, but especially next year."

Potential that lies further down the road could be one of the pitfalls for this year's young squad. It's one that Shapiro readily acknowledges.

"We're looking good (for the future)," Shapiro said. "(But) it's not that I want to discount this season. We're going to bring it 100 percent."

Improving on last year's 12-14 record, which ended with a second-round playoff loss to rival San Benito, is the first goal. The Lady 'Balers went on to win a Central Coast Section title and return a talented roster this season. Still, Lambert, who was pulled up to the varsity level for the playoffs, thinks the Mustangs may have what it takes to challenge for a Tri-County Athletic League title.

"Last year, [the Lady 'Balers] were a really good team, but we've been playing together a long time and could surprise them," she said.

Despite being new on the scene, Shapiro has a unique familiarity with most of her players. Twelve of the 22 varsity and junior varsity athletes have been a part of her NJB or AAU club basketball teams.

"I've coached most of these girls since the seventh grade," Shapiro said.

Gilroy will be focusing this week on the opening round of the Mustang Classic, which will be hosted by Gilroy starting Thursday. The Mustangs will face Shapiro's alma mater in Gunderson at 5 p.m.

While the Mustangs are likely to win that matchup, Shapiro has a saying that will be repeated to keep her young but talented roster humble.

"I'm going to stick with the old coach's quote," she said. "Any given day, any team can beat anybody."

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Mustang Classic 2008 (Varsity)

Dec. 4, 2008

NMCHS vs. Aptos - 3:30 p.m

Gunderson vs. Gilroy - 5 p.m.

St. Francis CCC vs. Notre Dame (Salinas) - 6:30 p.m.

Watsonville vs. Santa Catalina - 8 p.m.