Even though the Goshen girls’ varsity team is six games into its season, the team is getting ready for the most important part – Area play.

After beginning the season 2-1, the Eagles have dropped three-straight games and will look to get back on track today against a familiar opponent – Reeltown.

“[Practice] has been going pretty good this week – the girls have been very enthusiastic,” head coach Sam Dean said.

“We are looking forward to playing Reeltown [Friday night].”

Last season, the two ball clubs met three different times, twice in the regular season and one in the Area tournament.

Both teams one a game during the regular season, but it was the Eagles that came out on top of the Rebels in the 2A Area 5 championship game.

Despite last season’s success, Dean and his girls know this season’s games are not going to be easy.

“Reeltown has some good shooters that can hit 3-pointers all day long, plus they have some height.

“What we have been working on this week is better [defensive] coverage. We don’t want to get into a 3-point battle with them. I think we will be able to match-up well with them inside,” the coach said. “As long as we are shooting well, we will be in the ball game.”

Along with defensive strategies, Dean said his team has been practice a lot of shooting drills and free throw shots.

Entering its game against the Rebels, the Eagles are shooting just around 30 percent from the charity stripe, according to Dean.

Leading the way for the Eagles this season is junior Niyoka Slater, who is averaging 11 points per game and senior Tiesha Jones who is averaging around eight points and nine rebounds a game.

With the Reeltown game, Area play will begin, something the coach says well elevate this team’s play.

“The girls have been really excited throughout the season – thriving on the competition, and I am sure when Area play begins the girls will be ready to play.

“Our area is going to be good this season – Highland Home, Reeltown and Zion Chapel have all been playing good ball as of late and I believe they will continue to do so.

“We don’t have too many easy games coming up,” Dean added.

As far has how Dean believes his team will fair in Area play, he said he expects good things.

“We got the talent to contend for the Area [this season] – we have most of players back and we have a lot of speed.

“I think we will be in contention for another Area championship,” Dean said.

The Rebels and the Eagles will meet on the court this afternoon at 5:30 p.m.