The Richard Montgomery High School girls varsity basketball team is ready to surprise the county, according to Coach Jennifer Hoffman.  

If the Rockets' 67-64 overtime victory against Quince Orchard at home on Tuesday night is any indication, they could be on the way to doing just that.

"The win was a huge team effort," said Hoffman, who is in her second year as coach. "Our key players pulled through but we kept rotating and kept the floor fresh.  Everyone contributed quality minutes, especially in the overtime period.  You could see it on the girls' faces.  There was no doubt in their minds when we forced overtime that we'd take away the win."

With one game behind her hungry team, Hoffman said she's excited for the rest of the season. "I'm looking forward to it," she said. "Every year is a new challenge and every game is an opportunity. These girls want to win."

The team is looking to rebound after last year's 7-15 record, which included a close first-round loss to Magruder in the playoffs.

"After last year some teams in the county are going to take us lightly. But we're going to come out and turn some heads," Hoffman said.

While the Rockets are planning a surprise, their key to success is no big secret.

"We have three returning varsity seniors and they're the rock that we'll build off of," Hoffman said of point guard Sophie Koubek, forward Hayley Willerand guard Kiana Davis, last year's team MVP. 

The three girls, all whom have been named co-captains by their teammates, bring different styles of leadership to the team.

"Sophie is a quiet leader," Hoffman said. "She's going to lead us by example.  Hayley and Kiana have a great synergy. When they're on the floor together, they mesh with everyone."

Hoffman and the Rockets will expect each of their captains to bring their best every game of the season.

"While we have good depth, we're going to need Kiana to bring that scoring and rebounding effort that she did last year," Hoffman said. "Hayley is great in the post and we'll need her to get those rebounds and control the post. Sophie has quick hands and feet and she'll run us on the point. She'll have to keep hitting those [three pointers]."  

Koubek led the team with 24 points against Quince Orchard while Davis contributed a double-double (20 points, 10 rebounds).

The Rockets also will rely on some hidden weapons. Junior guard Ashley Fourcade, who has been sidelined with injuries for much of the last two years, is expected to develop into a threat with her versatility and ability to play point guard, small forward and shooting guard.

Senior guard Ty Migdal will bring a new athleticism to the team. Hoffman says she'll rely on  freshman Brittney Afolabi-Brown and sophomore Victoria Cobb, each in their first year on varsity, to deliver quality minutes this year.

"Right now it's a big mix . . . of seniors, juniors and underclassmen," Koubek said. "We'll get used to each other." 

The Rockets will take on Sherwood  at home on Friday night at 7.