The Bulloch Academy varsity girls’ basketball team kicks off its 2010-11 season tonight as the Lady Gators welcome eight teams from the Georgia Independent School Association’s three classifications to the fifth annual Lady Gator Classic.

Bulloch takes on Flint River Academy at 7 p.m. in the tournament’s second game. Sandersville’s Brentwood School takes on Frederica Academy from St. Simons Island in the tournament’s opening game at 5:30 p.m.

The round-robin tournament continues Wednesday and Thursday with three games each day. Other teams involved in the Classic are Trinity Christian School, First Presbyterian Christian Academy, David Emanuel Academy, Thomas Jefferson Academy and John Milledge Academy.

Last year, the Lady Gators placed third in their own tournament. Bulloch backed its way into post-season play but caught fire at the right time, upsetting team after team until they reached the Class AA state championship game. Paul Webb’s bunch posted its fourth consecutive double-digit winning season, going 19-14 and earning the 2009-10 runners-up trophy.

But graduation hit the Lady Gators hard. Gone are forward Heaven Hinton, point guard Kate Anna Akins, guard Kelcie Jacobs and guard Kaylee Dennard.

"All of them started and contributed greatly to our success for several years," said Webb. "We have nine players returning but only three had significant minutes."

Hinton was the team’s leading scorer (9.9 points per game) and rebounder (6.6 per game) while Akins was the squad’s floor general in all 33 games and led in steals (2.8 per game), assists (3.6 per game) and three-point shooting.

Also comes the step from Class AA to Class AAA for the Lady Gators.

"Not to take anything away from Double A, but moving to Triple A is a huge step," said Webb. "The level of competition will increase dramatically."

Last season, Webb hustled his players in and out so many of his girls saw a lot of action.

Rachel Gilbert is the lone senior on the squad. She and junior Taylor Collins were starters in spots. Both will be extremely vital to the outcome of the season.

"Rachel will have to step up and be a leader for our team," said Webb. "She tends to lead by example but I need for her to be a vocal leader as well. In addition, we have some juniors and sophomores who will play prominent roles on this year’s team and they need to establish themselves as leaders as well."

Gilbert played in 25 games, using her speed on drives to the basket (6.0 ppg) and fighting hard for rebounds (2.5 rpg). Collins, who played in all 33 games, was a force underneath, averaging 6.2 ppg in the paint and pulling down 7.0 rpg.

Anna Newton made a huge splash as a freshman, scoring 7.1 ppg and pulling down 5.3 rpg. She also led the team in free-throw percentage (47 of 66) and field-goal percentage (93 of 236) and scored the second-most points (233) on the squad. She heads up the talented sophomore class which also includes Lauren Dennard, Mary Margaret Reeves and Marianna Peebles.

"I’m expecting big things from Anna and Taylor at the posts," said Webb, "Of course, the need for an impact player or two who can shoot from the perimeter is going to be key. If we can find a player or two who consistently knocks down those outside shots, we can have another good year."