MINNEOLA, Fla. — Lake Minneola High School girls basketball team is off to a hot start to the season, winning their first 7 games. One of the reasons is guard Mia Saunders. She is one of the best scorers in the state averaging over 20 points per game. A sport she has been playing for the last 10 years.

"Mia is awesome, she is one of our top scorers. She takes pride on that," said 2nd year head coach Donna Forrest. "She is in the top 20 in the state of Florida."

The team believes in her ablity to put the ball in the basket.

"They trust me every time I get the ball. I either make it or miss it and get the rebound and put it back up," said Saunders.

"Everyday, we know Mia is going to have a positive attitude, she is very coachable and she is going to bring her A-game," said Forrest. "In practice and in the game, she is the same."

Mia loves everything about the game, especially playing with her teammates which has led to success on the court.

"It feels great, the team has been doing great. We have been communicating as a team," said Saunders. "We are trying to win the championship."

This year's team is a young team becuase there they don't have any seniors.

"We have a team full of freshman, sophomores and a couple of juniors," said Forrest. "She is always encouraging, helping the ones who are less skilled. That is basically what we are needing."

"Half of these players are young. We have been working with them and it is off to a great start," said Saunders.

Lake Minneola girls basketball hasn’t been a consistent winning program since the school opened in 2011, but Mia believes this team is building the foundation for future success.

"It feels great honestly, being a junior and building a whole girl’s basketball team," said Saunders. "It feels great."