Madison girls basketball coach John Rossi took a look at the schedule he compiled for this season and chuckled thinking back at what his original slate looked like nine years ago.

“Where we were nine years ago when I came in with the schedule to today is night and day,” Rossi said.

The Mohawks, coming off a 23-2 season, have bulked up the schedule again this year with Alter, Carroll, Anna and Northmont all on the list.

“We were able to get them,” Rossi said, “because they know it will be a good competitive game and it becomes a win-win for both teams.”

Madison plays three games in four days beginning tonight against Stebbins as part of Oakwood’s tournament to tip off the season. The Mohawks will play again Saturday at Oakwood before visiting Northmont on Monday night.

A rough way to start, but Rossi is confident his veteran squad can handle it.

“We have eight of our top 10 coming back, so we have a real experienced group,” Rossi said. “They know what to expect, and when you get the opportunity to play a Division I school (Northmont) you take it when they can play it; we have tried to keep pushing the schedule up.”

Madison lost by three in the regional semifinals last season after winning its third straight district title and fourth Southwestern Buckeye League title in the last five years. The expectations have helped fuel the Mohawks.

“We had a great offseason,” Rossi said. “We did a lot within the program in June. They know what we expect of them and we know what they’ll give us.”

Madison has four starters returning: seniors Josey Harding, Meghan Miller, Michelle Brunswick and Kaylee Bush. Olivia Philpot rounds out the starting five. Rachel Nisbet, Kesley Kleinfelter and Meghan Robinson add depth.

“We feel really comfortable with where we are right now,” Rossi said. “We may not be as quick as we have been in the past, but when we have the opportunity to score we have a lot of weapons.”

Madison also has a lot of height. Harding is 6-foot-2, Brunswick 5-11. Five others are 5-7 or taller.

Rossi has tried to keep things simple and follow a simple motto — get better today than you were yesterday.

“When we have deficient tendencies, we have skill-driven sessions to fix it; it’s what you’ve got to do,” Rossi said. “We are seeing the progres.

“Our goal is to win championships. We want to win league and win districts. Once you get to the next level, you don’t know what is going to transpire.”