It is often said that there are three sure keys to success — practice, practice, practice. The Hoquiam girls basketball team took that tip to heart, ditched the Allen Iverson model and hit the gym this summer.

After having several two, three and even six-minute lapses without a basket at the end of last season, in an eight-day period this summer, the Grizzlies took more than 10,000 shots as a team.

“We basically spent 30 days in the gym this summer,” Hoquiam coach Mark Maxfield said. “Practice makes perfect and you have to get into the gym and they committed to it…We just went into the gym and spent some time working on fundamentals.”

Hoquiam finished last season 7-7 in the Evergreen 2A/1A League and 9-13 overall. The Grizzlies lost three starters to graduation, but many of the returning players saw a sizable amount of playing time last season. Hoquiam will return three players that were able to have a varsity role as freshmen a season ago.

“Early in the year we are probably going to have to find our identity,” Maxfield said. “We are a lot faster than we’ve been, so that will probably dictate our pace of play. We are going to have to transition and spread the court to go to our strengths. The key for us is how well we shoot. You can do everything perfect, but if you can’t put the ball in the hole, it doesn’t matter.”

The Grizzlies will again be led by a trio of seniors this season with Izzy Hernandez, Brandi Parson and Casey Mode leading the Hoquiam squad. The Grizzlies biggest weakness this season will be size as the 5-foot-8 Hernandez will be the inside presence for Hoquiam. Parson will take on the role of point guard, while Mode returns after missing last season with an injury to play wing.

Karli Krohn, the Grizzlies lone junior, will return to her starting role as a forward.

Sophomores Jade Cox and Maya Jump both saw the floor for the Grizzlies last season and will be battling for the final starting spot when Hoquiam hosts Kingston to start the season on Nov. 29.

Another duo of sophomores will be part of the rotation of players Maxfield said he expects to play in the post. Kylee Bagwell and Rylee Vonhoff will both hope to help the Grizzlies battle on the boards.

The Grizzlies size will play into how they will match up against Montesano, the team Maxfield said will be the favorite to win the Evergreen 1A League title. The Bulldogs feature 6-foot-1 post Jordan Spradlin and have won the league title the last three seasons, but Hoquiam has speed to match Monte and compete Maxfield said.

“Monte and Elma are going to battle for the top,” Maxfield said. “We have good athletes and a good attitude and we will see how it comes together.”

Maxfield will be assisted by Denny Hinchen, Tim Pelan and Scott Oliver this season.