Like most coaches, Panther Valley’s Bill “Dapper” Lynn is looking for one thing from his players — improvement.

Individually, he wants his veteran players to step up their game from a year ago. And as a team, he’s hopeful his club gets better from one day to the next.

“We’re going to go game-by-game and practice-by-practice to get better,” said Lynn, now in his fourth year at the helm.

The PV mentor saw improvement last season as the team increased its win total by four games. After a 2-20 mark in the 2016-17 campaign, the Panthers finished 6-16.

But the record doesn’t even tell the whole story.

“We played well in the second half last year against the big schools,” said Lynn, whose team competes in the always-tough Schuylkill League Division 1. “We didn’t get killed like we did in the first half. In the first half of the season, we lost by 30, but in the second half we were losing by four or five.”

Some of the players who helped the team make that turnaround return this season. And their coach is looking for bigger and better things.

“Rachelle (Filer) is a four-year starter,” said Lynn. “She’s going to have to do a lot of things this year, including rebounding and scoring more. She’s going to have to get up to double figures in scoring for us. She’s definitely capable of it. She can be in double figures, without a doubt.”

Filer, a 5-10 forward, averaged 5.8 points per game a year ago and is coming off an outstanding volleyball season. She’ll be joined in the front court by one of her volleyball teammates — 5-11 sophomore Erika Dubosky.

“Erika is a sophomore who made the all-league team and averaged double figures (13.7 ppg) last season,” said Lynn. “I’m hoping she gets a little more this year. She’s our other forward, but she can play some point guard too. Erika is a freak in that she can do a lot of things well on the court.”

The backcourt will consist of juniors Megan Pascoe and Gianna Steber.

“Megan is our point guard,” said Lynn. “She started last year at off guard, so this year she’s moving to the point. She’s another player that’s going to have to score. She’s also going to have to be our leader on the floor. She’s a good ballhandler. This will be Gianna’s first year starting. She’s been a starter on the JV team the last two years ... She’s another one that’s going to have to pick up her game and score. She’s a tough, physical kid.”

Riley Wehr, a sophomore, will be the first off the bench. Her coach describes her as someone “who hustles and hustles and hustles.”

The rest of the squad includes Emiline Markovich, who is a threat behind the three-point line, and forwards Cailey Iudicello and Abbey Vermillion.

“We have nine players right now, and they’ll all play,” said Lynn.

All nine will have to play as PV plans on using an up-tempo offense, and has a busy start to its season.

“We’re going to try and run on offense,” said Lynn. “Even if it goes through, we’re getting it and running.”

Defensively, Lynn has hinted at playing more man instead of the normal 2-3 zone the program has used in the past. Ultimately, the decision will depend on the opponent.

“We have to get prepared for the Schuylkill League, so we loaded the schedule in the beginning of the year with non-league games,” said Lynn, whose team plays six times in the first nine days. “It’s going to be tough in our league. We just need to compete.”