This isn't the same Central team from the past few years. This year's team has something to prove.

MUNCIE, Ind. — It looked like the game was starting to slip away from Muncie Central.

Mistakes began to pile up for the Bearcats in their season opener against Delta. A once-promising lead turned into a 14-point deficit with 5:18 to go in the third quarter.

Third-year head coach Ron Howell called a timeout. This game started playing out like so many had over the past three seasons, where the Bearcats have gone a combined 14-57. Down by double-digits in the third quarter, previous teams might have given up, taken the loss and moved on.

But the players on this year's team will be the first to tell you — this isn't the same Central girls basketball team that you've seen over the past few years.