Midlands basketball capsules

Preseason capsules for men's and women's college basketball teams from around the Midlands:

• Launch the photo showcase of some of the Midlands' standout basketball players.

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Bellevue University
• Coach: Shane Paben, 2nd year
• Record Last year: 24-9, 8-4 MCAC (NAIA Elite 8)
• Players to watch: G Ron King, all-MCAC, 12 ppg, 53 3-pointers; G Jace Fredenburg, 8.0 points per game 52 3-pointers
• Outlook: The Bruins return two starters and four letterwinners from last season's 24-9 squad that advanced to the NAIA Elite Eight. Bellevue will welcome 10 talented newcomers to the roster, including four players who redshirted last season.

Central Community College
• Coach: Damon Vogt, 3rd year
• Last year: 17-17
• Players to watch: Omaha Central graduate Donald Jones, 6-foot-4, is a returning starter who averaged nine points and seven rebounds last season, with nine double-doubles. Shavontae Samuels, a 6-footer from St. Edward, is a dynamic point guard with tremendous speed and athleticism. Jay Battle, 6-7 from Boys Town, is a big-time rebounder and shot blocker who is also a returning starter from last season. Ian Sitz, 6-8 from O'Neill, Neb., is a sharp-shooting power forward who added 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason coming off a knee injury. Lorenzo Wilson, 6-6 from Omaha Central, is a big body with solid sets who brings toughness to the team.
• Outlook: This season's team is more complete from top to bottom and returns several players from last season's team that won a region championship and advanced to the final 24 in the country. CCC again starts the season ranked in the NJCAA D2 Top 25 but faces a tough first semester road hosting Iowa Western, playing at Western Nebraska, Eastern Wyoming and Hutchinson, Kan., as well as an early season matchup against D2 No. 1 Iowa Lakes. May take some early season knocks but expects to be in the mix at the end of the season.

Chadron State College
• Coach: Brent Bargen, 4th year
• Record Last year: 8-19 overall, 4-15 RMAC
• Players to watch: Sophomore G Kevin McClelland should continue his improvement in his second season. Last year he averaged 10.2 points to rank second on the team. Sophomore F Moala Tautuaa has shown he can be a dominating player in the post when he's healthy and stays out of foul trouble. Last season, he averaged seven points and was second on the team in rebounds (4.2).
• Outlook: The Eagles return five players from last year, but coach Bargen also has done a nice job of bringing in talented recruits. If the younger players grasp his system, the Eagles should improve for the fourth straight year.

Concordia University
• Coach: Grant Schmidt, 20th year
• Record Last year: 20-12, 10-8 GPAC
• Players to watch: Senior guard Dustin Weber averaged 8.7 points and led the Bulldogs in assists last season. Junior forwards Ryan Shrum and Sam Huebner averaged 8.3 and 7.4 points per game, respectively.
• Outlook: Concordia returns three starters from last year's squad that went 20-12 overall and 10-8 in the GPAC. Dustin Weber, Ryan Shrum and Sam Huebner will look to carry the load offensively, while transfer Porter Birtell should be a force in the paint.

Dana College
• Coach: Chris Fear, 10th season
• Record Last year: 15-15, 8-10 GPAC
• Players to watch: Dana will look to run-and-gun with its stable of athletic guards. Leading the way are returning senior starters AJ Arkfeld, of Harlan, Iowa, and Jake Brandl of North Platte. Arkfeld averaged 7.4 points per game and shot 38 percent from behind the 3-point line. Brandl averaged 10.7 points per game and drained 70 three-pointers last year.
• Outlook: The Vikings graduated three of their five starters and their top two players off the bench, but Fear still is happy with team's depth. Over the past two seasons, Dana has reached the 15-win plateau and hopes to pass that this season. The Vikings have looked to establish a low-post presence during past seasons, but this year they'll look to run-and-gun with their athletic guards.

Doane College
• Coach: Ian Brown, 8th year
• Record Last year: 10-21, 3-15 GPAC
• Players to watch: G Tyler Weatherholt averaged 11 points per game and was third in the GPAC in 3-point percentage (.469).
• Outlook: The Tigers return the majority of their team from last year, losing one starter. Juniors Weatherholt and Jake Johnson were the top two scorers last year and earned All-conference recognition.

Hastings College
• Coach: Lance Creech, 8th year
• Record Last year: 18-15, 11-7 GPAC
• Players to watch: Miah Slough was the GPAC defensive player of the year. Waid Vontz was second team all-GPAC.
• Outlook: Good team speed and depth at the perimeter positions. Must improve defense and rebounding throughout the season.

McCook Community College
• Coach: Brandon Lenhart
• Record Last year: 16-16, 5-3 NCCAC (runnerup)
• Players to watch: Redshirts Andrew Hanson and George Pllard are fighting for starting point guard spot. Freshman Antonio Dye will provide help at a couple of positions.
• Outlook: Must replace all five starters and six of top seven leading scorers. Still have a nice mix of returning players and new freshmen who are willing to work. “We have a nice mix of speed and power from our point guard spot this season,” Lenhart said.

Midland Lutheran
• Coach: Rich McGill, 29th season
• Record Last year: 8-22, 6-12 in GPAC
• Players to watch: G Jason Ahrens averaged 10.2 points and 3.2 assists last season.
• Outlook: The Warriors will be a much quicker team than in years past. MLC will have to score consistently and rebound well to compete in the strong GPAC.

Morningside College
• Coach: Jim Sykes, 7th year
• Record Last year: 24-8, 15-3 GPAC
• Players to watch: G Eddie Marrs earned second-team All-GPAC honors last year and is top returning scorer at 14.7 points per game. Led team with 76 assists and 59 steals. Mitch Carstens also scored in double figures (10.2) and led team with 39 3-point field goals.
• Outlook: The Mustangs must rebuild after graduating most of the cast that produced two consecutive GPAC regular-season championships. Morningside has four 20-win seasons in the last five years and has qualified for the NAIA Division II national tournament in three of the last four years.

Nebraska Christian College
• Coach: Charles Wilson, 2nd year
• Players to watch: G/F Derek Runcie is the team spark while G Josh Laughlin is the floor general.
• Outlook: Small in number and height, but quickness should allow them to compete. Wilson says Parsons could surprise some teams.

Nebraska Wesleyan
• Coach: Cam Schuknecht, 4th year
• Record Last year: 10-15, 6-12 GPAC
• Players to watch: F Ryan Thramer is a three-year starter who is the leading returning scorer for the Prairie Wolves. He averaged 9.9 points and 5.3 rebounds as a junior.
• Outlook: The Prairie Wolves return four starters and 10 lettermen. NWU will be without starting center and All-GPAC performer Dylan Aylward, who will miss the season due to injury.

Northeast Community College
• Coach: Dan Anderson, 12th year
• Record Last year: 15-16
• Players to watch: Thomas Colbert (6-7) is an excellent rebounder. David Taylor averaged 6.8 points per game.
• Outlook: Young with only one starter returning and 10 freshmen. “But we play hard, have good size and have some good shooters,'' Anderson said.

North Platte Community College
• Coach: Kevin O'Connor
• Record Last year: 27-6; Nebraska Community College Conference champion; Region IX runner-up.
• Players to watch: Joe Ragland averaged 19.8 points last year. Chase Grabau averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds.
• Outlook: A solid nucleus of four starters returns from last year's team but the graduation of the school's all-time career rebound leader, Eugene Bain, will be tough to replace.

Northwest Missouri State
• Coach: Ben McCollum, 1st season
• Record Last year: 12-15, 7-13 MIAA
• Players to watch and why: Junior F Elijah Allen was the Bearcats' second-leading scorer (13.1) and second-leading rebounder (4.7) last season. Freshman Bryston Williams averaged 19 points and nine rebounds as a senior at Lafayette High School in St. Joseph, Mo.
• Outlook: The Bearcats return two starters and seven letterwinners from last year's squad. McCollum has introduced three freshmen and four transfers to the program.

Peru State College
• Coach: Troy Katen, 2nd year
• Record Last year: 1-29, 0-12
• Player to watch: F Steven Burks, a returning ALL-MCAC player, has moved to his traditional wing position.
• Outlook: The Bobcats will have a mix of new freshmen and newcomers to go along with a handful of returners.

Southeast Community College
• Coach: Joel Wooton 6th year.
• Record last year 14-19
• Players to watch: Andrew Miller averaged nine points a game last year, Christian Salinas nine and Aaron Russell seven. Matt Woodcock averaged three assists last year.
• Outlook: Eight returning letter winners from last year along with five returning redshirts and eight new players, including Tiit Kuek from Omaha Bryan. NJCAA men's basketball academic team of the year last year. Lost 17 games by less than 10 points last year and lost just three sophomores. “We have a chance to be much improved over a year ago with all the experience we have,'' Wooton said. “Or biggest weakness is our lack of size up front, but our average size is still very good.''

UNK
• Coach: Tom Kropp, 20th year, and Kevin Lofton, 5th year
• Record Last year: 11-15, 8-11 RMAC
• Players to watch: Senior C Josiah Parker is among UNK's all-time leaders in blocks and should be a force in his final campaign; he overcame some injuries to total 11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds a game last winter. Junior G Jeremy Cruise is on pace to challenge UNK's all-time record for made 3-pointers while sophomore wing Max Froehlich earned third-team All-RMAC last year.
• Outlook: UNK is looking to bounce back from seasons of 16-14 and 11-15. The Lopers began camp with 18 players, including seven returning letterwinners and four starters. Newcomers of note include freshman forward Drew Sankey (Lincoln East), freshman guard Akeem Morissaint (Delray Beach, Fla.) and junior college transfers Brian Ridgeway (Casper, Wyo.) and Jordan Harris (Westminster, Colo.).

Wayne State College
• Coach: Paul Combs, 1st year
• Record Last year: 11-16, 7-13 NSIC
• Player to watch: C Brian Metz was a second-team All-NSIC selection last season after averaging 13.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He led the NSIC in field goal percentage last season (.676) and was sixth in NCAA Division II to go with sixth in NSIC in rebounding.
• Outlook: Combs has two returning starters back from last year's team. Seven transfers and newcomers will be relied upon to get Wayne back to a winning program. Wildcats predicted to finish 10th in 14-team Northern Sun Conference race that features four preseason Top 25 teams nationally (St. Cloud State, Winona State, Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State).

Western Nebraska Community College
• Coach: Russ Beck, 1st year
• Record Last year: 25-7
• Players to watch: Scott Bamforth, 6-2 from Albuquerque, N.M.,, leading scorer last season and NJCAA pre-season all-American candidate; Francisco Cruz, 6-4 from Nogales, Mexico, Geoffrey Firman, 6-2 redshirt freshman from Brussels, Belgium, Brylle Kamen, 6-7 redshirt freshman transfer from Jacksonville State, and Geddes Robinson, 6-5 redshirt sophomore transfer from Jacksonville State.
• Outlook: The Cougars return their top two scorers from last year — Bamforth and Cruz — who combined for more than 1,100 points and more than 80 3-pointers. They also have a nice revruiting class with three transfers from four-year schools. Beck is excited to begin his first year as head coach. “I think we have the potential to do some good things and it is all going to pertain on their ability to pull together and to have good team chemistry defensively. I think offensively they handle a lot of trust in each other right now. They know who the guys are that can shoot the ball and the guys that score the ball in the block. I think it will all come down to defensive team chemistry. Individually, there is a lot of potential out there as well as team potential.”

York College
• Coach: Brandon Tatum, 1st year
• Record Last year: 3-24, 2-10 MCAC
• Players to watch: Darren Best, Corey Standerfer, Dee Ellison and Cameron Quinton will be key contributors.
• Outlook: York College has a lot of fresh faces. With new energy and some excitement being put back into the program, York will surprise some people this season.

WOMEN

Chadron State College
• Coach: Tim Connealy, 2nd year
• Record Last year: 11-16, 6-13 RMAC
• Players to watch and why: Kaitlin Petri, a junior transfer from University of Nebraska at Kearney, averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals a game. Last season she was the third-leading scorer with 11.2 points. Alyssa Lyman, who was the Eagles' first player off the bench last season, returns for her senior season. Last year, she was the team's second-leading scorer with 14 points a game and set a school record for most 3-pointers made (81).
• Outlook: The Eagles return just six letterwinners but should be an exciting team to watch. Connealy has infused some youth into the team by adding 10 freshmen. The senior leaders include PG Samantha Arkulari, G Alyssa Lyman and F Bobbi Arends.

College of St. Mary
• Coach: Chuck Brewer, 2nd year
• Record Last year: 8-21
• Players to watch: Twin sisters Laurie Carlson (nine points per game) and Lindsay Carlson (eight points per game). Terra Moyers is team's leading scorer at 12 points per game. Senior Jessica See is a team captain and returning starter and is team's leader. Freshmen Emily Cuva and Karyn Bixler, both from Omaha Roncalli, will see considerable playing time and are competing for starting roles.
• Outlook: Strength of the team will be quickness and outside shooting. Overall team depth has greatly improved with immediate bench support available. The Flames look for a much improved season because of team leadership from five seniors.

Concordia University
• Coach: Drew Olson, 4th year
• Record Last year: 26-9, 14-4 GPAC
• Players to watch: TaLisa Krejci, Stacy Scheer and Kristin Miller averaged around nine points per game and were GPAC honorable mention selections last season.
• Outlook: The Bulldogs must replace the scoring of Whitney Stichka (18.0) and Melissa Tinkham (14.0), who graduated last year. Coach Olson hopes a more balanced offensive attack and tenacious defense will lead Concordia back to the national tournament.

Dana College
• Coach: Shane Larson, 2nd year
• Record Last year: 9-20, 3-15 GPAC
• Players to watch: Megan Finn averaged 4.4 points and 1.8 assists per game last season. Leading scorer Tricia Trotter averaged 12.4 points, 2.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds.
• Outlook: The Vikings return two starters from last season's 9-20 team. Larson has brought in three transfers and several talented freshmen to give the team a new look. Joining the Vikings this season are a pair of backcourt transfers, Aneshia Starks and Laci Ward. Starks transfers to Dana College from NCAA Division II power Southwestern Minnesota State. Ward comes to the Vikings from NCAA Division I Southern Illinois University. The Vikings will also feature four players 5-10 and above this season.

Doane College
• Coach: Tracee Fairbanks, 11th year
• Record Last year: 18-14, 8-10 GPAC
• Players to watch: F Vanessa Munter was All-GPAC a year ago despite battling injuries all season.
• Outlook: The Tigers have a couple of holes to fill but return a good core of upperclassmen who gained valuable experience a year ago. Doane returns every key sub from last year, so a strength for this year's squad will be depth.

Hastings College
• Coach: Jeff Dittman, 2nd year
• Record Last year: 27-8, 12-6 GPAC
• Players to watch and why: Senior C Lindsay Ducey, a two-time first team All-American, produced double-doubles in 27 of 35 games last season. Senior G Kim Faimon is one of the top perimeter defenders in the country and became a big scorer as the season progressed. Senior F Rachel Isherwood gives Broncos speed in their transition game. Senior F Heather McKeon is a threat from outside.
• Outlook: Dittman said Broncos have a chance to be an outstanding defensive team and, if they can become a more consistent rebounding squad, have a chance to compete for a conference and a national championship.

Midland Lutheran
• Coach: Joanne Bracker, 40th season
• Record Last year: 8-22, 3-15 in GPAC
• Players to watch: C Kelli Hermsmeyer averaged 11.5 points and 6.8 rebounds last year
• Outlook: The Warriors will rely upon the inside game of Hermsmeyer but will have to replace the school's all-time leading 3-point shooter in Marcy Hauschild.

Morningside
• Coach: Jamie Sale, 9th year
• Record Last year: 38-0, 18-0 GPAC
• Players to watch: F Brittany Williamson is the top returning scorer and rebounder from last year's NAIA Division II title team. She averaged 12.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game en route to second-team All-GPAC honors. G Laura Nelson was a second-team All-GPAC performer last year when she led the nation with 125 3-point field goals and averaged 11.7 points per game. G Leslie Foral (7.2 points, 3.8 rebounds will be a four-year starter. Transfer addition G Tanaeya Worden was the leading scorer (14.8 ppg) at NCAA Division II Christian Brothers. G Chelsie Trask is set to be an impact performer after she missed all of 2008-09 with a knee injury. She was Iowa's second leading scorer as a high school senior when she averaged 25.7 points at Rockford High School.
• Outlook: The Mustangs lost their first two after entering the season riding a 55-game regular season winning streak. Morningside graduated first-team All-Americans Dani Gass and Autumn Bartel from last year's national title team, but should still challenge for top honors in NAIA Division II.

Nebraska Wesleyan
• Coach: Eric Jensen, 2nd year
• Record Last year: 6-21, 2-16 GPAC
• Players to watch: Junior Sadie Struebing is back for her third season as the starting center for NWU. She has earned All-GPAC honors the first two seasons and led the team in rebounding the past two seasons, averaging 7.5 rebounds for her career.
• Outlook: Jensen returns his top three scorers from last season and also has the best recruiting class in recent years for NWU women's basketball. Sophomore guard Shea Rasmussen is healthy after missing the final 16 games with injury. Rasmussen scored in double figures in every game she played in her first season in 2008-09, and is expected to be a top scorer again this year.

Northeast Community College
• Coach: Matt Svehla, 16th year
• Record Last year: 25-7, NCCAC champs)
• Players to watch: Sofie Lundberg, a 6-footer from Sweden, averaged 8 points and 3 rebounds last year as a starter. Dawn Bonnell, 5-8 guard, was a top reserve.Bobbi Coleman, a 5-8 guard from Arizona, transfers in from Cameron (Oklahoma). Coleman is very athletic and knows how to win. Her high school team won three consecutive state championships in the state of Arizona.
• Outlook: The team has potential, but it is really young with two returners, one transfer, and 10 new freshmen. Consistent play from the sophomores will be expected and the freshmen will need to contribute.

Northwest Missouri State
• Coach: Gene Steinmeyer, 11th season
• Record Last year: 9-18, 5-15 MIAA
• Players to watch: Sophomore PG Abby Henry played in all but one game last season and has earned the starting role this season. She had 44 rebounds, 44 assists and 24 steals in her first season at Northwest. Junior post Gentry Dietz returns to the court after missing last season with a leg injury. She spent two seasons at Southern Illinois before arriving in Maryville.
• Outlook: The Bearcats return just five players from last year's squad. This year's team is comprised of 10 freshmen, four sophomores and two juniors.

North Platte Community College
• Coach: Richard Thurin
• Record Last year: 16-14, Region IX Division II champions
• Players to watch: G Shaylyn Miller is quick and great defensive player and leader, Thurin said. PG Nancy Kirkendoll was all-region and is a team leader.
• Outlook: Good nucleus of players back. Good guard play. More depth and overall quickness.

Peru State
• Coach: Maurtice Ivy
• Record last year: 12-19; 6-5
• Players to watch: Monique McDuffie (10.7 points and 10 rebounds) and Avyn Vaden (10 points and led team in assists).
• Outlook: After returning to the conference playoff for the first time in nine years, the young Bobcats have set some high goals. Seven returners and five newcomers have provided good chemistry. Bobcats have more speed and size and need to learn to utilize those strengths.

Southeast Community College
• Coach: Vicki Wooton, 6th year
• Record Last year: 16-13, NCCAC 2-4
• Players to watch: Laura Schroeder, a 6-foot sophomore, returns after a year off. During her freshman year she was All-tournament Region 9, All Region 9 and All-conference. Sophomore CeCe Catlett is coming off a great freshman year, posting six double-doubles. PG Aujanee Armstrong can run the floor and has great passing skills as well as athletic ability.
• Outlook: We will be a young team and the outcome of the season will depend on how well we can learn to play together and work as a team, Wooton said. Team is much more athletic, quicker and can play solid defense. Players can knock down outside shots and Southeast also has size and strength inside. “We hope to improve on our conference record and look forward to the Region 9 championship game and having a shot at the district playoffs with the opportunity to go to nationals,'' Wooton said. Academic All-America team for the past two seasons and trying to make it three in a row.

UNK
• Coach: Carol Russell, 8th year
• Record Last year: 20-10, 14-5 RMAC
• Players to watch: If she can stay healthy, junior F Megan Becker could be an All-RMAC player. She missed all but five games last year due to an ankle injury and has begun this year on the disabled list with a leg ailment. Sophomores Debi Johnson (guard) and Vanessa Leeper (wing) will need to have big years as the Lopers will be short on numbers.
• Outlook: UNK is hoping to make a fourth straight NCAA tournament but must replace four starters and overcome some serious early season injuries. Newcomers that will have to contribute include freshman post Kelsey Lane (Omaha Burke), Hastings College transfer Lea Ann Jameson (Minden) and Missouri Western transfer Kim Rickels (Iowa City, Iowa.).

Wayne State College
• Coach: Chris Kielsmeier, 2nd year
• Record Last year: 15-13, 2-8 NSIC
• Players to watch: Mara Hjelle, 6-2 junior center, was a second-team All-NSIC selection last season after averaging 10.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, ranking third in NSIC in field goal percentage (.519) and sixth in rebounding. Clare Duwelius, 5-10 sophomore guard, was the 2008-09 NSIC Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.8 points and making 60 3-pointers off the bench last season.
• Outlook: The return of four starters along with Iowa State transfer Ashley Arlen and junior college transfers Renee Wood and Katie Randall have Kielsmeier optimistic about 2009-10 season. Wildcats were picked seventh in Northern Sun Conference preseason coaches poll that features defending NCAA Division II national champion Minnesota State. WSC ranked second last season in NSIC in scoring defense, allowing just 60.8 points per game.

York College
• Coach: Jen Spickelmier, 3rd year
• Record Last year: 2-28, 2-10 MCAC
• Players to watch: Kristin Wiedemann averaged. 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. Lorena Medeiros, Juliana Bassetto, and Carrie Berger averaged around 10 points and will be key contributors.
• Outlook: This year's team has more all around talent and desire to win. They are a very competitive bunch. “We should be able to improve on last year's record and hopefully shock a team or two throughout the year,'' Spickelmeier said.

Western Nebraska Community College
• Coach: Dave Harnish, 22nd year
• Record Last year: 24-8
• Players to watch: Amber Kistler, 5-9 sophomore from Bayard, Stormye Everett, 5-9 sophomore from Aurora, Colo. Thais Pinto, 6-7 freshman from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Carolina Alves, 6-0 freshman from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Kelli Culver, 6-2 freshman from Arvada, Colo., Khayla Gladney, 6-1 freshman from Los Angeles, Calif., and Yuji Morimoto, 5-10 redshirt freshman from Tokyo, Japan.
• Outlook: One of his tallest teams in school history with nine players 5-10 or taller. Thais Pinto is the tallest player to play for Harnish, as the freshman from Brazil stands 6-foot-7. The Cougars are young, with just two sophomores back from last year's 24-8 team. However, they also have plenty of talent. Morimoto has the potential to be one of the leading scorers in the nation.