The number 21 is on Bob Hohne’s mind this season and he won’t have to gamble to get there.

Hohne, the Old Rochester Regional High School girls varsity basketball coach, has led his team to state for 20 consecutive years and only missed the championships once in 35 years.

Shooting for another trip to state, Hohne said, “We know we’re going to be a good team. How good will depend upon them and how much effort and focus they bring to every game.”

Last year, Hohne had a young team with no seniors. Additionally, injuries benched two starters – center Hailey Dickerson and point guard Abby Offringa – for part of the season. Even with their seeming underdog status, the Lady Bulldogs finished with 14 wins and six losses.

This year’s team is already ahead of the curve, said Hohne.

“Being an experienced group, some things are being reviewed, but we’re also adding things,” said Hohne. “I talk about knowledge, working knowledge, and execution. Our working knowledge is still a little shaky. We’re not at an execution level yet.”

Hohne said the team’s strengths are a trifecta of depth, size, and experience. “Plus, we’ve got good basketball players. That always helps,” he said.

Star players aren’t something Hohne likes to talk about. “Basketball is the ultimate team sport in my mind,” said the coach.

Even so, Hohne said he’s doing well when he can identify three “rocks” on which to build the team. “I really feel I have four rocks this year.”

He said sophomore Gabby Roiter and seniors Colby Garstang, Katie Gilbur, and Abby Offringa are that foundation the team needs for another winning season.

The team will get its chance to put its year of experience to work at the Old Rochester Hall of Fame Tip-off Tournament on Thursday, December 13, through Saturday, December 15.