Kayla Springer | The Echo
It is an exciting year for Trojan basketball, as both teams gear up for what look to be equally promising seasons. With rosters full of dedicated veterans and eager newcomers, coaches and players alike are optimistic about the success that this season will bring.
Women's basketball
The women's team is coming off of a winning 16-15 season during the 2015-16 campaign, including an impressive 62-51 win over No. 25 Saint Thomas. This year poses another competitive schedule, as the team faces a number of ranked teams as well as those receiving votes in the NAIA national poll, including a big matchup against No. 1 Marian in January.
Returners for the women include senior Monica Compton, juniors Josie Cobb, Sierra Wilson and Cassidy Wyse and sophomores BreAnna Arnold, Kendall Bradbury, Lacey Garrett, Katrina Headlee and Aubrey Wright. The Trojans welcome a handful of freshmen: Abby Buchs, Becca Buchs, Sydney Huffman, Jamie Netzley and Haley Stratman.
Though the team exhibits a lot of youth, Bradbury commented that the team dynamic has been solid and the team is working on playing together as a unit. Following what she called a "growing season" last year, the group is hopeful to surprise a lot of people, specifically with the team's depth and newfound strengths.
Bradbury was named to the Preseason All-Crossroads League First Team, joining Wyse, who was named to the Preseason All-Crossroads League Second Team. Other NAIA coaches voted for the Trojans in the NAIA Women's Basketball Preseason Top-25 Poll. This was the first time the Trojans appeared on a national poll since the 2012-13 season.
In the midst of these accolades, head coach Kelly Packard is focused on cultivating a healthy team environment.
"The major focus has been maintaining and protecting our culture on a daily basis," Packard said.
Packard said this also involves daily accountability and truth. At this point, Packard sees the team's biggest strengths as their transition game and personnel versatility. The group will look to the agility and shooting range of their power forwards to add a large variety of offensive strategy.
Men's basketball
The men's team hopes to rebound from a 14-17 record in the 2015-16 season, in which the team knocked off No. 5 Bethel by a score of 84-79. The team will have a difficult schedule this season, including No. 3 Davenport in just two weeks.
Returners for the men include seniors Eric Cellier and Lane Vander Hulst, juniors Vivian Aiken, Tim Fleming, Keaton Hendricks, Joe Ingersoll and Graham Ortmann and sophomores Evan Crowe and Jake Heggeland. Newcomers include sophomore transfer Christian Allen and freshmen Emmanuel Boateng, Mason Degenkolb, Jordan Foster, Pat McNamara and Ryan Robinson.
Hendricks is excited about the current team dynamic.
"Each guy on the team has a team mentality and genuine care for each player. It's been a fun group to be a part of so far," Hendricks said.
Hendricks was a selection for the Preseason All-Crossroads League Third Team, while Degenkolb was selected to the Crossroads League Preseason All-Freshmen Team, made up of just five players.
Head coach Josh Andrews commented on what he believes to be process-driven group that seeks to grow daily. In addition to "winning today," as Andrews puts it, the greatest focus currently is to have team unity throughout a versatile roster. The squad expects to be an elite shooting team this season as well as have great ball movement and floor spacing. Creating exceptional team chemistry and work ethic will help take this competitive team to the next level.
Both teams will tip off for the first time at home this weekend, as the men take on Great Lakes Christian tonight at 7 p.m. and the women take on Northwestern Ohio tomorrow at 1 p.m.
"Photograph by Fayth Glock"
