Eight and a half months ago they played for the Class D state title at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

On Friday night the Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy girls basketball team opened the 2016-17 campaign and the Irish looked like they just might be primed for another great season.

As it was the Irish rolled past Mid-State Activities Conference foe Vestaburg by a final of 60-10 Friday in their opener and from all indications Damon Brown and company look like they should be formidible again.

"We came out with a good sense of urgency tonight and did some good things in the full court," said Brown, who led his 2014 team to a Class D state title and his 2016 team to a runner-up showing and a record of 24-2. "We're going to be pushing the tempo a little more this season on both ends of the floor."

In recent years the Irish got the job done with relentless defense and by feeding 6-foot-3 center Averi Gamble in the post. Gamble, who was named Class D Player of the Year in the state last March, has since taken her game to the collegiate level as she plays at Central Michigan University.

Without her post play the 2016-17 Sacred Heart rendition will be slightly different.

"We want to dictate tempo on both ends of the floor and run and with four starters returning we should be tough," said Brown, whose team created over 25 turnovers in Friday's game. "We've only had five practices so far so we're still figuring some things out but I like the core group we have."

On paper the Irish return Sophie Ruggles in the post and Scout Nelson at the point. Both are excellent all-around players.

Add to that the return of Hadyn Terwilliger, Megan Nowak and Grace Reetz and the Irish have solid players at all five starting spots.

With nine players on the roster developing the bench with be vital.

Nelson led they way Friday as she tallied 15 points, six steals, five rebounds and three assists.

Ruggles added in eight points and three boards while Reetz had 10 points, eight steals and five rebounds.

Nowak also had nine points while Terwilliger had seven points and nine steals.