The Prior Lake girls basketball team has the talent to contend for a state title.

Led by senior McKenna Hofschild, who goes into the season needing 27 points to reach 2,000 for her career, the Lakers have that elite go-to player to lean on in crunch time.

But Prior Lake also has a ton of depth behind Hofschild. The team lost just one senior from last year's squad that became the first Lakers' team to get to state as a Class 4A program.

Prior Lake won the Section 2AAAA crown as the No. 3 seed, but then lost both of its games at state to finish with a 16-15 overall record.

Lakers coach Mike Gidley said in the first week of practice he could see his squad playing like a team that has high expectations.

"We have a talented group," Gidley said. "Last year, we had a solid team and I think we can be better this year. Winning the section and getting to state meant a lot. It gave these kids a boost of confidence."

Hofschild is entering her fifth varsity season. She averaged 27.6 points per game last year. Her 1,973 career points is already the most in school history, as is her 245 career three-pointers.

Hofschild also set a school record last year with 857 points in a single year and she holds the single-game scoring record of 42.

How good was Hofschild in the postseason last winter? The 5-foot-3-inch point guard averaged 34.4 points in five games, including 42 in a 74-71 win over Minnetonka in the Section 2AAAA title game.

Hofschild will play Division I next year at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. She got the decision out of the way before the season, so all of her attention will be on her Lakers' team.

"That's a big deal," Gidley said. "That's a weight lifted off her shoulders. That can be stressful for a lot of kids. McKenna won't have to deal with a lot of the outside noise. She found a home at Seton Hall. Now she can go out and play team basketball for us."

Meanwhile, Gidley had a deep bench last year, rotating as many as 11 kids at times. He looks to have that luxury again this winter.

Sophomores Tatum Brostrom and Kate Trachsel, junior Haidyn Pitsch, seniors Alexandra Wiskow, Reagan Dahl and Paris Kallevig are back in the backcourt, while seniors Lexi Hanson, Riley Theis and Taylor Rentschler, junior Ella Schnackenberg and sophomores Emily Kulstad and Abby Kuboushek return to the front court.

Pitsch averaged 9.9 points last year, while Kulstad netted 8.2 and Traschel averaged 7.4. Kulstad really started to assert herself inside the lane in the section playoffs.

"Last year we played around nine to 11 kids consistently," Gidley said. "We may play even more this year. This is a great group of hard-working kids. We are a transition team, so you have to play multiple kids."

Prior Lake will open the season at Wayzata Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. The Lakers get another tough opponent at the Breakdown Tip Off Classic Dec. 1, taking on Park Center at Hopkins High School at 9:30 a.m.

The Lakers' home opener is Dec. 6 against New Prague, while the South Suburban Conference season starts Dec. 11 at home against Rosemount.

Prior Lake finished 9-9 in league play last year, tying for fifth with Lakeville South. Eastview, the defending Class 4A state champs, won the title going 18-0.

The Lightning will again be the favorite this year in the SSC, along with Lakeville North and the Lakers.

"I'd like for us to compete for the conference championship," Gidley said. "We been in middle to the top of the standings pretty much every year. It would be a statement for our program to win that conference."

Section 2AAA is always strong with the likes of Minnetonka, Edina, Eden Prairie and Shakopee in the field. Chaska and Chanhassen were young last year and should be improved, while Bloomington Jefferson is also in the mix.

"Our section is there for any team to take it," Gidley said. "I like our chances, but nothing will be easy."