It just might be the start of a new era for the Vicksburg Missy Gators.

They’re in a new classification and division, and face some new opponents. Most of the faces on their team are new. Coach Barbara Hartzog, in her third season, finally feels like her program is starting to take over from the previous regime.

It’s an exciting time, all right, and it’s a time Hartzog declines to call a rebuilding year.

“I don’t think we’re rebuilding. We’re reloading, getting some new players in,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of young players, but their skill level is high and they’re working hard. We had a good summer and as soon as they get to know each other it’ll get better.”

The Missy Gators went 16-14 last season and advanced to the Class 5A satellite game before losing to Tupelo. The core of that team is gone, though, and only six players who were even on the roster remain.

Only two of the six, center Taylor Ammons and forward LaToya Williams, are seniors, though. And the other four — Kamiko Martin, Jarmine Walker, Ebony Martin and Alexus Stirgus — all saw playing time last year.

Hartzog credited the returning six with creating good team chemistry that will help the Missy Gators grow.

“We rely on our defense. And they get along and support each other,” Hartzog said, emphasizing the latter point. “There’s not any jealousy. That helps a lot.”

While the six returning players will form the core of this year’s team, Hartzog said she plans to play everyone on the 15-girl roster. That includes ninth-graders Cortni Cooper, Donyeah Mayfield and Shanequa Hill, who are making the leap to varsity ball.

“They’re going to have to step up, but that’s why they’re on the varsity. We need the contributions from them,” Hartzog said.

Especially in a tough new division. Vicksburg’s drop to Class 4A this year put it in an eight-team division with perennially strong teams from Lanier, Callaway and Yazoo County, among others.

Other than a Christmas break tournament at Raymond, 14 of Vicksburg’s last 17 games are against division opponents.

“It’s easy to make a schedule,” Hartzog joked. “The advantage is, four teams go out of the district instead of two, so it gives you more opportunities.”

Add in a tough non-division schedule that includes a home-and-home with Warren Central, Forest Hill, and a tough field at the Raymond Christmas break tournament, and the learning curve becomes steep for the young Missy Gators.

“It’s going to be competitive every time we step on the floor. But we’re competitive too, so it’s not going to be a problem,” Hartzog said. “You’ve got to be ready every night. We’ve got a good, tough schedule, so that’s going to make us tough.”