Just shy of the holidays, the Homer Mariners girls basketball team will take its first shots of the season against Nikiski at home on Saturday.

According to Coach Deb Lowney, the team is ready with renewed spirits after last year's season of solid game play, which was not quite reflected in the win-loss record.

Lowney has reason to be optimistic. With many returning juniors and seniors and a full squad of underclassmen, including three girls who have returned to the courts for the first time since early junior high, the Lady Ms have a firm base on which to build this season.

Looking ahead, Lowney expects the first game of the season to challenge the Lady Mariners, pointing to a Nikiski squad with a reputation for putting together solid teams on an annual basis.

"Nikiski has a new coach and he's an experienced coach but new to the girls program, so I'm not quite sure. The kids from Nikiski are always coming into the games with good basic skills and in great shape. I'm sure they're going to give us one incredible game," said Lowney.

Looking back on last year's season, Lowney sees little to complain about and thinks that what successes there were will translate into continued success in the 2009-2010 season.

"In terms of rebuilding the Mariner spirit at the high school I think we have accomplished that," said Lowney.

In practice Lowney has seen that spirit in action and points out that returning players have come back strong and new players have shown an outstanding willingness to practice and a commitment to rebuilding Homer basketball.

That commitment has run into the hours outside of practice, with teammates taking the time to work on their game in their time off, getting up early for a few laps in the pool and staying late to do line work and practice shooting in the gym.

"That's where we're all ready for the challenge. It'll all tell when the game plays out in how we handle the ball and how we put the points on the board and control the game. The one place I know we're going to see improvement is going to be in our fitness level," said Lowney.

The big question will be whether all the work will pay off, and Homer basketball fans will have the chance to see for themselves Saturday, starting at 3:30 p.m. in the high school gym.

The Ms will hold a fundraiser dinner-auction at 6 p.m. today at the Elks Lodge. Tickets can be purchased at the door or from any of the girls basketball players for $20. The dinner is a chance for basketball fans to meet the team's new players, and at the same time get some Christmas shopping done.

Ryan M. Long can be reached at ryan.long.@homernews.com.