Samantha Carollo returns this season to help the Lady Raiders try and repeat for another title.Benton Academy returns to the hard court this week with several familiar faces, but a new head coach patrolling bench.

Former Clinton Christian athletic director Mike Swindle takes over a program that won its first North State title in a decade.

“I’m glad to be here,” Swindle said Monday as Benton hosts their season opening tournament. “I’ve got a great group of girls that work hard.”

Just a handful of players return from a 2009-10 team that finished 19-10 and won six of their last seven games before falling in the playoffs.

Six of the eight girls on the varsity squad have had several minutes of experience including Alex Chandler, Kaitlyn Mason, Kim Ables, Nora Grace Davis and Samantha Carollo, the best three point shooter on the team Swindle says.