The Jim Thorpe girls' basketball team wants to make its own March Madness.

Led by an all-state high scorer, and supported by a mix of proven and talented athletes, the Lady Olympians are primed to pile up the wins en route to their goal to play for a district championship in March.Times News Player of the Year and First Team All State selection Kayley Kovac returns to the hardwood with a 24-points-per-game average from her sophomore season."You might say there's not much more Kayley can do to improve her game," said her coach and father Rob Kovac, whose team finished 12-10 last season. "We think she can get better, and her first priority is to make her teammates better."Kovac expects his daughter to be double-teamed by opponents, but is confident in her ability to see the floor and find the open girl for the shot."We are much more balanced, so Kayley doesn't have to wear herself down from getting fouled and going to the line for 250 free throws like she did last year," said Kovac, "but we'll still ride the horse in close games. "We will need Kayley to preserve her stamina and be fresh down the stretch. She's physically stronger and that will improve her defensive game as well."Running the point will be Natalia Richards, who jumped from JV to starting a playoff game last season. Kovac expects steady improvement from the sophomore guard, who is "growing into her body" and is becoming more confident running the offense."Natalia is a good shooter," Kovac said. "This year we expect that she will dictate to the defense what she wants to do with the ball rather than the other way around."Kayley's sister Payton has improved her strength from a summer conditioning program. She can dribble well with both hands and her mid range shot can be deadly."Payton's confidence in her abilities will certainly help us," Kovac noted. "She can put up double figures on any given night."Senior forward Kaitlyn Ohl is one of JT's better defensive players. She's good in transition and with a solid spot up jumper."We don't have a big post up player, but Kaitlyn can play down low and she can run the floor right past bigger and slower girls," said Kovac, who begins his eighth year as JT's mentor.The fifth starter's spot belongs to a rotation of juniors - Sarah Gable, Jackie Condly, and Devan Lignore."These girls are fluid," said Kovac. "We will match them up to our particular opponent. Sarah is our blue collar box out rebounder."Jackie is electric with her quickness and Devan provides a spark on offense."Also seeing action will be senior Alexis Naranjo, who is healthy again after a series of injuries limited her playing time the past two seasons."We have the rigors of competition in the Schuylkill League, and we've scheduled some tough non-league opponents. We are asking each of our players, 'What can you do to be ready to play in March.'" Kovac said."To get to the next level, we have to be better defensively. We are definitely bigger, stronger, and faster than last year. We are on the right track."