It was the third game of the season and the Sto-Rox girls' team was already missing one of its top players because of an ACL injury, then shooting guard Nicole Thornhill fell to the court in the third quarter.

Coach Carrie Palermo knew right away the injury was serious. Thornhill injured her ACL and MCL effectively ending her season and high school career, but her reaction to the injury surprised Palermo.

"I could tell it was a bad injury and the first thing she said to me was 'I'm sorry, I'm letting you and the team down,'" Palermo said. "Her first thought was of the team and not 'Oh my goodness, my senior year is over!' That really impressed me."

Even with the injuries the Vikings have found a way to win, going 6-1 with the only loss coming against Upper St. Clair in the game in which Thornhill was injured.

Thornhill joined 6-foot junior forward Jackie Movitch on the injured list for the Vikings. Movitch's injury occurred in summer conditioning during an agility drill. Palermo, who is in her 14-year of high school coaching, never had a player have a season-ending injury until this season.

Palermo called Thornhill, her shooting guard, the fastest guard in Western Pennsylvania. Without her and with the loss to Movitch Sto-Rox has made the transition from relying on speed to relying on size.

"We are trying to change it to more of an inside game now," Palermo said. "Before it was just a transition game ... we were faster than everyone else. In the summer and fall we were faster than everybody and we didn't have to set up an offense because of our speed.

"I am trying to get the inside game and our half-court game going. It's coming together slowly. We will see where we fall at the end."

Sto-Rox has been involved in four single-digit games all of which they have won. Last season the Vikings went 1-3 in similar situations.

"I don't know how to describe it, but they are responding. In years past in the games that have been close we would have lost and now we are winning," Palermo said.

"We are adjusting but these kids are winning. They are working really hard and they are trying to become legit basketball players. It's been up and down so far but its been pretty rewarding. I look forward to going to practice everyday."

Sto-Rox does return all of its starters from last season's team that won 16 games and went 9-3 in Section 3-AA to make the playoffs. The starting forwards are Daryl Ford and 6-foot-1 Tynesha Lee.

Lee opened the season averaging a double-double and is now averaging 12 rebounds a game, up from seven a year ago. Palermo attributes the improvement to more experience especially in her time playing AAU basketball in the summer.

Point guard Kerry Connolly is joined by seniors Larissa Banks and Sytina Davis. Connolly is a three-year starter and leads the team in steals and assists. Palermo described her as the glue that has been holding the team together.

Thornhill and Movitch still come to every game and Movitch, who is awaiting surgery later this month, continues to practice in preparation for next season. Both players have been helping each other get through the injuries.

"They both sit on the bench at games and try to pick things up," Palermo said. "During timeouts our players look to them for inspiration. Thornhill would talk to Kerry and Jackie is always talking to the big girls. Our team really needs support from those kids."

Palermo's assistant is her husband, Bill, who also coaches the school's softball team. One of his pitchers, Kristin Olejar, has made the transition to basketball and is one of the top reserves. She is one of the Vikings better post players.

Palermo is trying to work sophomore forwards Dominica King and Mia Smith into the lineup as much as possible to stretch the bench to eight players. As the season continues, Palermo wants to lengthen the bench to nine players by adding Kori Ford to the rotation.