Coach Latreisha Moon’s Bainbridge High School Lady Cats basketball team returns some key players from a team that went 26-4 in 2009-2010 and earned a berth in the first round of the state Class AAAA tournament.

They must replace last season’s Region 1AAAA player of the year and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution state Class AAAA player-of-the-year Alexis Burke, who is a freshman with the University of Illinois Lady Illini this season.

During the 2009-2010 season, the Lady Cats not only went undefeated in Region 1AAAA play, but also went undefeated in both the Rickards High School Lady Raiders Shootout in Tallahassee, Fla., and the Lowndes County High School Vikettes Shootout in Valdosta.

The Lady Cats opened their season Monday, bowing 63-54 to Berkmar High School from Lilburn in the opening round of the sixth annual Charles Cooper Memorial Tipoff Tournament at Lowndes County High School in Valdosta.

They were led by senior Bria Harris and junior Briana Wade with 16 points apiece. April Thomas scored nine.

The Lady Cats played the Valdosta High School Lady Wildcats Tuesday and will conclude tournament play with a 1 p.m. game today against the Ware County High School Lady Gators.

Juniors Diamond Bouie and Ri’Chana Jackson, who saw considerable playing time last season, are back this season along with Harris, Wade and Thomas.

Candice Perkins and Aqueriya Bennett join Harris and Thomas as senior leaders.

Joslyn Odom and Aleah Clark will add sophomore depth.

A pair of returning juniors, Takeia Crankfield and DeDe Cooper, will also see considerable playing time.

Sophomore Jasmine Kelly, who transferred from Grace Christian Academy, will also provide depth.