Last February, the Pocatello Indians were up by five points heading into the fourth quarter of the 4A Fifth District Championship.

    In the final eight minutes, however, the Century Diamondbacks outscored the Indians 17-7 and just like that, Pocatello’s state tournament dreams faded away as they watched the D-Backs hoist the district championship trophy.

    “It was a heartbreaker for all of us last year,” said Pocatello head coach Laraine Cook. “I know for the girls, for myself, they really wanted that game. ... I think that it’s going to be something that we don’t want to repeat. So we’re going to do everything we can to come out on top this year.”

    The loss of that game will likely never fade, but a new season, new challenges and a restructured Fifth/Sixth District that includes Pocatello, Century, Preston, Blackfoot, Bonneville and Rigby provide a different dynamic.

    “I love having a bigger conference,” Cook said. “I just think it makes Eastern Idaho basketball stronger. It makes your league stronger. You represent better at state if you have a better conference. It’s going to make it tougher, but I like to have challenge and I think the girls do as well.”

    Like the district that Pocatello plays in, the Indians’ roster has a new look to it after losing four seniors.

    The starting five will include junior Brooke Pierce, senior Allie Parker, sophomore Carly Parker, senior Abby Jones and junior Paige Durrant.

    Notable bench contributors includes Kealee Hewett, Shayla Henderson and Dani Jorgensen. In total, nine players make up the varsity roster.

    “It’s different than last year, but I think we’re going to be ready for it,” said Allie Parker, a starting forward for the Indians.

    “It’s a different dynamic,” she said. “We had to change the roles a little bit, but I think everyone is settling into their roles quite well.”

    One of the players switching positions is Allie’s younger sister, Carly. Carly started as a freshman in 2011 and is moving to the point this season.

    “It’s a change from getting told what to do to kind of being in charge,” Carly explained. “You’re the play maker. You make everything go smooth.”

    Both Parkers and the rest of the squad will work to overcome what looms as the team’s greatest weakness in the early preseason — a lack of height.

    Part of the solution is senior Abby Jones, a physical defensive presence. If Jones and her teammates can pressure the opposing squad’s ball handlers on the perimeter, then some of the size disadvantage can be neutralized. And if it’s an effort issue, the Indians have it covered.

    “The girls work really hard and they hustle,” Cook said. “That’s something as a coach, you have to respect and like about your team.”

    With a reworked roster and new teams to battle in district games, there’s a sense of optimism surrounding girl’s basketball at Pocatello. Something Cook has been working on since she started four years ago.

    “I think one of the biggest things when I got here is just the girls learning how to win,” she said. “Being in games was just an accomplishment for them, because they hadn’t had the winning tradition here. Last year, we had a winning record. Now they’ve got confidence. Confidence alone helps win games.”

    Pocatello’s season gets underway Wednesday at Burley High School.     

    “You’re anxious to see where you stand,” Cook said. “It’s always exciting to get that first game under your belt, and see where you’re at, what you need to work on.”