SOMERS — Shoreland’s Bruce Heckmann has an interesting philosophy when it comes to coaching basketball.

“We don’t set our goals in terms of wins and losses or banners,” said Heckmann, who guided approximately 40 girls through the first official day of practice on Wednesday. “We love to win, but you can’t make that a top priority. We focus on the kids and how we can help them grow and use all the gifts they’ve been given. Usually, if you keep focused on those things, everything else turns out pretty well.”

While winning isn’t necessarily the focus for Heckmann, the Pacers are considered once again one of the teams to beat in WIAA Division-3. Shoreland is ranked 12th in Division-3 in the WisSports.net preseason poll.

“(Expectations) are high,” Heckmann said. “But it seems as though they’re high every year. We seem to have a lot of kids who work very hard and work well together and tend to do quite well year in and year out. Every year we have the target on our back and we like that.

“It’s a compliment to them and challenges us to step up.”

Plenty of experience

Shoreland returns three All-County selections. Senior guard Dawn Grashen and junior forward Taylor Bahr were first-team picks, while junior guard Kasey Kleiner was a second-team honoree. Bahr led the team in scoring (14.5 ppg), rebounding (7.1 rpg) and steals (3 spg).

Heckmann, entering his 27th season, said the first day of practice is always a tough one. However, it’s a lot easier having three of the county’s top players leading the show.

“The older girls help the younger girls get through the first day,” Heckmann said. “There was a sense of calm anticipation from the kids. I was very happy with how things went.”

Coming off big year

The Pacers opened last season with 18 consecutive victories and finished 15-1 in the Midwest Classic Conference and 21-2 overall. Shoreland lost in the WIAA regional final for the seventh time in the last nine years.

Shoreland, a two-time Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association state champion, is still searching for its first sectional appearance since joining the WIAA in 2000.

It appears a WIAA title is the only thing missing from Heckmann’s long and successful career.

“A WIAA title would mean just as much as a WISAA one,” Heckmann said. “Letters really don’t matter to me.”