PACIFIC GROVE >> Placed in an upper division last season, Pacific Grove High’s girls basketball team faced major challenges with just one senior on the roster and a new coach overhauling the system.

The results shook the confidence of the group of multiple-sport athletes — most of whom play basketball only as a seasonal sport. Yet, it also brought the core back this winter more driven.

While growing pains were anticipated last season because of being in the Gabilan Division, the most competitive division of the Pacific Coast Athletic League, no one envisioned the Breakers losing 12 of their last 13 games.

“I brought in an entirely new system,” Pacific Grove coach Marquis Pickrom said. “It took some time for the girls to buy into my style. But I think they’re enjoying it this year.”

Riding the wave of an 11-game winning streak, the Breakers are chasing perfection in the Mission Division, a step below the Gabilan, going into Wednesday’s meeting with Stevenson.

“Last year was hard,” senior Lili Gaona said. “But it prepared us to deal with adversity. A lot of the underclassmen developed playing together on an AAU team or in the summer.”

After dropping three of its first four preseason games, one adjustment due to an injury changed the direction, as Pacific Grove has gone 15-1 since.

With 16 overall wins, they have nearly tripled last year’s entire win total, and there are still four games left for the playoff-bound Breakers.

“I’m not really surprised… well maybe I’m a little surprised,” Pickrom said. “I knew what we were capable of. It just came a little quicker than I thought.”

Pickrom’s first year was more about developing his personnel, knowing that the core of the team would be intact this coming season.

“One thing coach did last year was get to know each one of us as individuals,” Gaona said. “He wanted all of us to thrive. I think it helped with our turnout this year.”

Buying into a new system and putting their trust into what Pickrom was preaching, the Breakers went to a four-guard lineup that seemed to jump-start the offense.

“It made us a little quicker,” Pickrom said. “We were getting out in transition, pressing better on defense. It’s allowed us to play a couple of different styles of basketball.”

It didn’t hurt that two freshmen with basketball minds showed up this winter to add depth, while two athletes from other sports came out for basketball.

“The two freshmen have enhanced our team,” Pickrom said. “A lot of girls here play three sports. I’m all for that. They learn different things, work on different movements.”

Of course, it could have contributed to the Breakers’ slow start as more than half Pickrom’s team played a fall sport.

“It can hurt when you’re implementing something new,” said Pickrom, a Woodside of San Mateo County graduate. “We’re still teaching the system. But these are natural athletes. That’s healthy.”

Because the Breakers are still a program with a ton of youth, Pickrom has one eye on the future as well as the present for the only undefeated team remaining in the Mission Division.

Five different players have led the team in scoring this year, with Savannah Hardy erupting for a career-high 29 points last week, equaling the opponent’s entire point total.

During its 9-0 start in the Mission Division, Pacific Grove’s average margin of victory has been 18.5 points, with the only single-digit win being a six-point decision over Stevenson.

“It’s been a collection of girls that have stepped up,” Pickrom said. “We’ve had girls go on hot streaks. They’re taking turns leading the team in scoring.”

Hardy, an all-county softball player, is averaging 14.5 points in her last five games, while Lyla Smith, Gaona and Jasmine Booker have put together big nights in the scoring column.

“Everyone has an opportunity to show their skills,” said Gaona, who also plays volleyball and softball for the Breakers. “We kind of had a good dynamic coming into the season.”

Smith and Gaona have also been tenacious on defense for the Breakers, while Booker has had a pair of 20-plus point outings in league play.

“Lyla (Smith) brings a lot of energy,” Pickrom said. “Lili (Gaona) is good at anticipation. Once we figured out what we wanted to accomplish, it just took off.”

Pickrom runs an up-tempo offense that will press the entire game, depending on the score. He’s begun using more of his bench as players — including Ciara Nardone — continue to develop.

“Obviously, it depends on the game,” Pickrom said. “We like to get off a lot of shots. We are pushing the pace. Getting more kids on the floor enhances our development.”

That includes the addition of power forward Kylee Killian and guard Olivia Rudoni, two freshmen who have been earning more playing time as the season has progressed.

“Kylee is a long athlete that grabs a lot of boards,” Pickrom said. “Olivia plays big minutes at the guard position. Both aren’t afraid of the moment. They’re two huge pieces going forward.”

When the Breakers’ winning streak reached seven games, concerns of complacency did creep up in Pickrom’s mind. So he put the team through one of its more challenging practices.

“I put them through a hard practice, making sure they understand that we want to compete and get better,” Pickrom said. “I gave them the message about not being complacent.”

What happened next was wins by 37, 18 and 40 points.

“We’re not playing our best basketball,” Pickrom said. “I’d like to see us cut down on turnovers, move the ball better and execute, understanding if the first option is not there, look to the second and third.”

What the Breakers are doing is improving. Beyond the win column, three of their four highest-scoring games have come in the past six games.

“I don’t think they feel it yet,” Pickrom said. “I don’t know if they understand the concept of what we’ve accomplished to this point. And that’s OK. I believe there is a lot of basketball left.”