The girls’ middle-school basketball season opens on the road against Cocoa on Tuesday, and  Coach Derrick Hamilton said he’s doing his best to shape up the girls before the game.

“Our goal is to teach a new group of girls the fundamentals of basketball and figure out how to bring their skills together and win some games,”  he said. “The biggest struggle will be some of the girls thinking they are heads and shoulders above the other kids and trying to keep them under control and letting them know that they have teammates that can help them reach their potential.”

Eighth-grader Shannon K. said she’s looking forward to the new season.

“I’m excited to get to know a new team,”  she said.  “I like to get to know the people and what they’re like and what they contribute to basketball.”

Editor’s note: Brevard Public Schools policy prohibits the inclusion of middle-schoolers’ last names on school-sponsored websites.