JACKSON – With the loss of seven splendid seniors, veteran Warren Central coach Donny Fuller faces a major rebuilding job in 2005-06.

“We’ve got to go work,” Fuller said minutes after coming out of the locker room following his team’s gallant comeback in a 56-50 loss to Harrison Central in the Class 5A girls state semifinal game.

To get back to the Mississippi Coliseum, Fuller and his staff of Jackie Glass, Martha Pharr and Diane Emfinger will have to fill an immense void left by the seven-member senior class. Five of the seniors accounted for all 50 points scored by the Lady Vikes against Harrison Central.

Just two underclassmen, junior Amanda Doyle and sophomore Brittany Willis, played in the semifinal contest.

“We’ve got one junior and a bunch of sophomores who are going to have to step up,” Fuller said. “We’ll start soon and then carry our work into this summer where we’ll play our normal 20 to 25 games and get better.”

The Lady Vikes have been a traditional power in the 5A ranks for most of the past 25 years.

Wednesday’s meeting with Harrison Central marked the combined 38th appearance in a state tournament game.

“For once in my career, we’ll have no expectations. We might win five,” he said.

Doyle, though, says the comeback the Lady Vikes made in the final 12 minutes, cutting a once 20-point deficit down to three in the final 12 seconds, will be an inspiration to the returnees.

“I know I’ll be the only senior, so I’m going to have to step up,” Doyle said. “I think how we played at the end can help us. When Brittany (Banks) made those baskets, everybody was real hyped up then.”

Banks scored all five of her points in the final minute to key the late WC surge.

“We wanted it bad,” said Banks, a senior. “I love all of my teammates but I’m going to miss my fellow seniors, real bad.”

Banks is one of the WC seniors who is still undecided about where she’ll play basketball next season.

The team’s top player in forward Cookie Johnson and top reserve guard Shondalyn Rogers have signed with the University of New Orleans. Johnson scored 17 points in the semifinal contest.

Carla Latham, who led WC with 18 points, is like Banks and guard Saleda Montgomery in wanting to play next season, probably in the junior college ranks.

The two other contributing WC seniors are starting forward Ashley Vinzant and backup forward Kristin Linson.

Together, Fuller says the class will rank as one of the best.

“It’s always going to be one of my favorite groups,” Fuller said. “Not only for what they did on the basketball court but what they became as people.”