Coaching a young team with no returning proven scorers might not be an ideal situation for most high school basketball coaches.

But it’s a challenge that Marian’s Paul Brutto is embracing his season.

“We’ve had some talented teams and some experienced teams during my time here,” said Brutto, who begins his 30th season in charge of the Fillies’ program. “When you have that luxury, you probably worry a little more about the x’s and o’s than the basics.

“But in an odd way, the type of situation we have this year can actually be more fun for a coach. We have two freshmen and two sophomores among our top seven players, and just one returning player who averaged more than three points a game last year. Because of that, we are really focusing on the basics.”

The opening weeks of practice have found Brutto doing something that he’s enjoying.

“I would say I’m teaching more than coaching this season, and that has been enjoyable,” said Brutto. “We aren’t spending as much time early in the year on offenses and defenses and running plays.

“We are more focused on fundamentals, and doing the little things right. We are working more on footwork and positioning and things like that. Hopefully, as the year goes on, that pays off.”

The Fillies went 14-10 a year ago, but lost five seniors from that team, including four starters.

The only returning starter is sophomore Ashley Pleban, who averaged just over five points a game last season. Mia Nemeth and Jacalyn Possessky are the lone seniors on the team, while sophomore Kerrigan Digris and junior Taylor Walsh round out the group of returnees.

“All five of those girls saw action in a majority of our games a year ago,” Brutto said. “But their roles will have to be vastly different this year. They’re going to have to play more minutes, and we’re going to need at least of a few of them to give us more scoring.”

The remainder of the Marian roster will be comprised of a junior who came out for the team for the first time, and six freshmen.

‘We will need some of those kids to step up and play key roles for us,” said Brutto.

Brutto mentioned Frankie Martinelli, Carly Minchoff and Sophia Lombardo as freshmen who will contend for playing time. He also said Ashlyn Klitsch - the junior setter for the school’s state finalist volleyball team - will be counted on to provide depth.

Although the Fillies will be small, Brutto likes the team’s quickness and athleticism.

“Minchoff is our tallest girl, and she’s only about 5-9,” said Brutto. “So, we are going to need a group effort on the boards.

“One thing we do have is some pretty good position versatility. We are pretty interchangeable on the perimeter. So we will try to play fast in our half-court offense. A lot of screening, a lot (of) cutting, trying to keep things spaced.”

One possible advantage Marian could have in achieving that goal will be that after playing the last six years in Class 2A, it drops back to Class 1A this season.

The last time the Fillies competed in 1A, they won the 2013 District 11 title.

Despite having one of his youngest and least experienced teams, Brutto sees no reason to change the expectations for a Fillies program that has qualified for postseason play 47 consecutive years.

“I’d be doing a disservice to this team if we changed or lowered our expectations,” said Brutto. “We always want to contend for a division championship in the league, qualify for districts, and make a strong postseason run.

“We have those same goals every year, and that’s not changing.”