PORT ORANGE — If Yanija Lawson and Kailani Merrell are on, the Spruce Creek Hawks are tough to beat. That much has remained true.

A lot around those two has changed this season, though — including their roles.

Lawson and Merrell are the only returners who averaged more than three points per game on a team that advanced to the regional finals last year. Lawson is the Hawks’ lone senior while Merrell is just a sophomore, albeit an experienced one. They’re being relied on as leaders.

Half of Spruce Creek’s roster turned over, and six of its 10 players are freshmen or sophomores.

Despite all of that, one other thing has stayed the same: the results.

The Hawks hold an 11-6 record and sit 31st in the Florida High School Athletic Association rankings, pacing the Volusia-Flagler area, with Lawson and Merrell spurring the charge.

“Basically, what me and her set aside, our goal was to push our team, come in and motivate them and help them with everything,” Lawson said. “Just be coach (Kelvin) Hamm’s help.”

Merrell entered the new year averaging a team-high 13.8 points per game, but was held to six in a loss to Bishop Moore on Thursday. Lawson trailed right behind with 13.1 per game and put up a team-best 14 against the Hornets.

The duo played together last year, and both earned second-team All-Area nods. Their production came on a loaded roster that featured two other scorers with 13-plus-point averages.

This winter, they’ve developed even better on-court chemistry.

“It’s honestly good with her being here,” Lawson said. “She can actually help me with the younger girls coming in. Having a player returning helps me let the players know the plays ... She helps me motivate. Honestly, she’s helping me become a better leader and become a better player.”

In a win over Oak Ridge, the state’s 45th-ranked team, last month, Merrell recorded a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double while Lawson went a step further. She posted 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 steals for a triple-double.

They both hit double-doubles in their next outing, a victory over West Orange. Lawson finished with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Merrell had 19 points and 14 boards.

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“Most of the time, people will put up a crazy game, and the competition wasn’t good,” Hamm said. “'Nija’s triple-double came from a really good playoff team. Kailani’s double-double came against a really good playoff team. Different days, different times — sometimes at the same time — they’ve been doing a great job for me.”

They’ve provided stability as the young players and newcomers mesh.

That’s also a talented bunch.

Freshman Lillian Sanchez was the third Hawk to bring a double-digit scoring average (10.8 points per game) into Thursday’s matchup. Junior Paige Langley, a transfer from Oklahoma, dropped 13 points against Bishop Moore. Sophomore Anastasia Neal rounded out the starting five and has impressed Hamm with her growth.

“It’s really just getting them into and used to playing different high-level games,” Hamm said.

With the rugged regular-season schedule Spruce Creek plays and the ensuing postseason, there will be plenty more of those battles soon.

“Hopefully, in the district and in the playoffs, it helps us,” Hamm said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: High school basketball: Spruce Creek girls led by Lawson, Merrell