One of the big keys for Shelters, who saw his Jayhawks go 5-11 last year, will be strong play on the defensive end of the pitch.

"Defensively is I think where the difference comes," Shelters explained. "I think (this preseason) we have focused on defense. I think in the past, I don't think I have done enough there and focused more on offense. This preseason, we have focused three weeks on getting our defense right."

Expect to see Lexus Cornelius, Caylee Shelters, Heidi Hoden, Brianna Ingerson and Alisen Hazeltine to be some of Jamestown CC's primary defenders.

"Lexus Cornelius is coming from Bolivar-Richburg and Caylee Shelters from Jamestown, those two are going to anchor that center of the defense," Dana Shelters said.

"We'll play Heidi Hoden from Southwestern on one side (and) Brianna Ingerson on the other with a girl from Eisenhower (Pennsylvania), Alisen Hazeltine, (who) is going to slide in there as well. It's just going to be a question of which of those (players) work well on the outside. They each have different skills on the outside ... and it just depends what our opponent looks like as to who will play.

"I think we can match up with what we want to do (on defense)," Shelters added. "Our biggest improvement is definitely defense."

Up front, keep an eye out for Taylor Morrison, Maddy McLachlan, Cali James and Courtney Hewes.

"We actually are pretty loaded up front," Shelters emphasized. "We signed Taylor Morrison to a letter of intent (and) she comes with great credentials. ... She has her (high school) record in goals. I expect to see her step into that (position). We also have Maddy McLachlan, who we had last year and only played one game with us (before) she (hurt) her leg. ... She has all of this potential that we never had a chance to see. ... Then you can add in Cali James from Salamanca and Courntey Hewes will probably see some time up there as well.

"It's whoever clicks with who at this point," Shelters continued. "But I think we are very happy with where we are at there."

Kenya Stanton, Jamestown CC's leading scorer from last year with nine goals, will play a huge part in the midfield for the Jayhawks, while Savannah Rivera, Emily Olds and Kelly Keefe will also play integral roles.

"We (took) Kenya Stanton, our leading scorer from last year, and moved her back (from forward) to center-mid," Shelters stated. "She's just one of those solid players. We lost (a few) games from that center-mid position because we didn't have one of those players that can go in there and dominate at that position and I think Kenya can do that. ... Her and Savannah Rivera from Fredonia, that's our ideal starting center (combo) right there.

"Emily Olds ... she's going to play on the left (side), she's a natural left-mid player," he added. "And then Kelly Keefe from Falconer is wonderful. ... I expect her to be probably one of the key players that we end up playing through a lot to get our scoring chances."

Kashauna Learn, who played seven games in net for Jamestown CC and made a total of 38 saves in 2015, will return this year, while Rebecca Butcher is another player who could see action in goal throughout the season.

"I think they are both pretty equal," Shelters said. "They both have different skills. ... That position has really solidified itself. ... I can put either one of them in there and the girls (will) feel confident playing in front of them."

If things go according to plan, the coach believes the pieces are certainly in place for the Jayhawks to contend this fall.

"If we can stay competitive and the girls play up to their expectations, we are going to be right there at the end," Shelters stressed. "One thing at a time. We will take it one game at a time and one play at a time and grow and learn from there. And I think that's how we have to approach things."

Jamestown CC will get its first official taste of game action Saturday at home at 1 p.m. against Mohawk Valley CC.

For more great coverage of local Jamestown Sports and news go to:  

http://www.post-journal.com/