They had three practices prior to their first game, a new coach to whom they had to acclimate themselves and a new system to learn.

Even with all those obstacles facing them this season, the Morgan Academy Lady Senators are still off to a 7-1 start and are currently ranked sixth in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association girls’ poll for AISA teams.

The reason for the Lady Senators’ quick start and sudden success may be a mystery to some, but not to first-year coach Robert Gartman.

“We’ve got a really good basketball team,” Gartman explained. “We’ve got a lot of talent coming together at the right time.

“The girls have a willingness to do what you ask,” Gartman added. “That includes practices and during class.”

Gartman takes over for Morgan Academy volleyball coach Rick Blevins, who decided not to coach anymore this year when the volleyball season ended.

Although the Lady Senators have a new coach, learning his system has gone incredibly smooth, Gartman said.

“It didn’t take me long to teach them all I knew about basketball,” he said. “Coach Blevins did a good job of teaching them the fundamentals.”

The fundamentals, along with Gartman’s system, have the Lady Senators expecting big things the second half of the season.

“We’re good enough,” Gartman said, “to make a run at the state Final Four and maybe even a state championship. That’s not at all out of the list of possibilities.”

The Lady Senators have a balanced attack, complete with perimeter shooter Candice Ward, post player Katie Taylor, utility player Elizabeth Watters, front court player Laura Whitney Bennett and strong defender Cursie Oaks.

“I’m somewhat surprised they’ve done as well as they have this early in the year,” Gartman said.

Morgan Academy will get the opportunity to see just how good it really is on Jan. 11 when it takes on perennial AISA powerhouse Monroe Academy.

“We’ve done very well,” Gartman said, “especially considering we don’t recruit (at Morgan Academy). We don’t recruit for any sport, whether it’s football, basketball, baseball or whatever.”