Micalee Orton is sitting on the wall. Her left shoe is off and her left foot is elevated on a rolled-up beach towel. She'd rather be doing layups and shooting free throws while warming up with her teammates before Monday's practice. Her team would prefer that, too.

With Region 3 play just around the corner, Kearns wants to find a way to stay just as competitive without its leading scorer.

The Cougars have had some players quit and have gone through injuries but losing Orton has been a big blow. Orton flourished last season as a freshman and was the team's second-leading scorer. She was a focal point of this year's team. She was the team's inside presence. Then she tore her meniscus in a tournament in December, possibly sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament tear. Either way, she is out for the season.

"We have to press a little bit more and be smart offensively," Kearns coach Emily Williams said. "It's the unknown of just who's going to step up and take her place."

The Cougars will miss more than just her scoring. She was a defensive cornerstone and pulled down most of the team's rebounds. She was the player senior point guard Christen Lopez would look for most.

Lopez is learning to trust her other teammates more and at the same time, realizing she also needs to be more of an offensive threat.

"I've always looked to pass first but I can shoot the three and I should be able to do that," Lopez said. "People are stepping up and contributing and that makes me feel more comfortable and trusting."

Kearns has suffered a setback but the Cougars have confidence. Largely because of Orton's injury, Kearns went 0-3 during a December tournament but before that, the Cougars were 5-1 in the preseason.

"We know we have good shooters and people who can play," said senior Mary Luna. "When Micalee got hurt, I thought I gotta step up because coach might put me in her position. I just want to prove it's not about how tall you are. You just have to be strong and confident."

Luna is excited for region to start. With teams like Bingham, Riverton and Taylorsville, it will be a challenge. But with Orton's injury, the Cougars will be forced to push their limits.

At practice Monday, the players were more focused and eager to see how they match up.

Meanwhile, Orton sits and watch. She still wants to be part of the team and she makes herself known by yelling words of motivation or encouragement from her spot on the wall.

"I'm pretty sad [about not being out there] but this gives me a chance to be a leader from the bench," Orton said. "And it's been cool to see how the team has grown together to fill that hole. They're finding new openings in the offense and new things they can do."