HINCKLEY – Hinckley-Big Rock girls basketball coach Greg Burks never has relented on coaching fundamentals, even when his team could rely on All-State point guard Kaitlin Phillips to carry the Royals each night.

But this season, fundamentals may be more important than ever.

After Phillips and Daily Chronicle All-Area player Katie Hollis graduated last season, the Royals are left without the star power that carried them to immense success over the past four seasons. But Burks hopes defense and a balanced offensive attack can lead his team to success, as they did in Monday’s 63-18 win over Hiawatha.