If Hampton hopes to compete for another section title, it will have to bring it's "A" game every time it takes the court.

The last remaining starter from Hampton's 2007-08 WPIAL championship team Adrianna Ferraro, or "A" as her teammates and coaches call her, returns this year and with most of the scoring responsibility, at least early on.

Scoring is not exactly new to Ferraro, she entered the year with 348 career points after averaging eight points per game last season. But after watching top scorers Laurel Hanson and Mallory Schaffer graduate and C.J. Graham and Jodie Luther leave before them, Ferraro knows it is time to pick up her scoring.

"I hate to put it all on 'A,' but she brings a lot to the table for us," Hampton coach Mary Bukovac said. "We are going to rely on her when things get tough. Her experience is a big thing for us."

In the opening game of the season things were tough so to speak, against Class A Mount Alvernia. The Talbots fell behind 8-4 early and could not quite shake their opponents. Ferraro stepped up, scoring 10 points in a span of less than two minutes. Hampton pulled away and cruised to a 72-36 win with Ferraro leading her team with 23 points.

Hampton (2-1) lost to Fox Chapel, 44-30, on Monday in the championship game of the Fox Chapel tipoff tournament.

They defeated Seneca Valley, another Class AAAA team, Tuesday, trimming the Raiders, 62-45.

"I think she is ready for this," Bukovac said. "She has been preparing for it. I think last year she was ready to step into this role. She has put a lot of time into it. With her WPIAL championship experience, she is that quiet leader on the court."

After winning the WPIAL title two years ago, Hampton had a much shorter playoff ride last season. The Talbots were upset by South Park, 63-52, in the quarterfinals.

"We don't really think a lot about how things ended," Bukovac said. "We kind of take each year as it comes. No one is happy with the way things happened last year. We didn't get into the [PIAA] playoffs and when that was done, it was done.

"It doesn't matter if you come off a WPIAL championship or not, it doesn't matter, as soon as the season ends you have to start building."

Ferraro is one of five senior starters for the Talbots. It is the first time Bukovac can remember having all five starters being seniors. Ferraro's backcourt partner is be Kierstin Wilson.

"[The new role] took a lot of adjusting at first," Ferraro said. "I am getting pretty used to it now. I have been playing with this group since my freshman year and we are all really used to each other."

Senior guard/forward Emilee Goodman is the only other player who saw considerable varsity playing time last season. She averaged 4.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Emilee's twin sister, Brooke, also starts this year. The twins, who are both 5 feet 10, can interchange between guard or forward. Just like the Hampton boys' team, height will be a big part of the game for the Talbots.

"I really think our height is going to be something that we are going to rely on," Ferraro said. "But we are also strong shooters, too, and our post players are smart enough that if they don't see an opportunity, they can find one of us."

Along with the Goodman twins, Michelle Wittmer, a 6-0 senior forward, will also start in the post. Wittmer scored 19 points in the victory against Mount Alvernia.

Off the bench, Bukovac can turn to 5-10 junior forward Kristina Scott or 6-1 sophomore forward Molly Luther, younger sister of Hampton boys' standout Bill Luther.

"You have to say that we have a height advantage," Bukovac said. "People always ask me where does all our height come from. I don't know, it's just a blessing."

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