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EPHRAIM — Coaches always head optimistically into a new season, but Snow College's Rob Nielson has plenty of reason to be that way as he returns a group of key players from last year's 15-15 squad. Snow returns both starting guards from last season, Walter Wright and Gentrey Thomas, who finished first and second on last year's squad in minutes played.

"Our returning guard line gives us a real advantage beginning this year," Nielson said. "Their leadership and ability to help the other players buy into our system will be a very important part of our success." Nielson went on to say that point guard Wright (Waterbury, Conn.) "Needs to be our catalyst on defense and continue to lead us offensively." He added that Thomas (Halifax, Nova Scotia) plays the scoring guard position and "he will need to continue to score the ball and rebound for us." Besides Wright and Thomas, Snow also returns two more guards with significant playing time: Chandler Smith (Mountain Crest High School) and crowd favorite Le'Jon Johnson (Phoenix, Ariz.).

Wright is off to an auspicious start, breaking Snow's 59-year old record for points scored in a game with 49 points in a 96-89win last Saturday against Sheridan College (Wyo.). "It was a great player playing his best against a very good team," said Nielson. "Not only did he score, but he had 11 assists."

The coach likes his players' approach to team play, saying, "I think we are going to be very good at sharing the basketball and getting a high percentage of baskets off of assists." Nielson said that Snow has several very good shooters who can knock down the three-point shot if they are left open.

 Nielson says that defensively the Badgers need to get better at keeping the ball out of the paint, and not allowing teams to penetrate their defensive. "Larenz Stalcup is our returning center who will need to make his sophomore season his break out year," Nielson says. "He has all of the tools to give us a strong post player." Offensively, the coach says the Badgers need to develop a strong post presence and get better at scoring in the paint than last year. Stalcup (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and newcomer Ayrton Groennestein (Auckland, New Zealand), both at 6'11", along with returner Marcus Bryce (Cyprus High School) at 6'10" give the Badgers good length on the inside.

Nielson is also expecting a lot out of 6'7"forward Aziz Leeks (Las Vegas, Nev.) who is a transfer from Weber State where he redshirted last season. "He will be a big part of our inside game," Nielson says, "And he also brings experience after working with a Division I program for a year."

"We should be a very fun team to watch as we can run the floor, play great defense and add a few dunks to our three-point shooting," Nielson says. "We want to become the best defensive team in the conference, so you should see more intensity on the defensive end of the floor."

Nielson, who does double-duty as Snow's athletic director, relies heavily on his assistant coach Chris Gold and expressed appreciation for the team's loyal fan base. "When the Rowdy Crowd and others are cheering, it can really help us -- especially on the defensive end. They can help us get a steal which will lead to an easy basket or a dunk and then everything builds on that." The Rowdy Crowd is the name of the Snow College student section which should not spend money buying a seat at games because they never sit down. 

"We have a very good group of players," concluded Nielson. "They are great people and I look forward to seeing them on the court, but I can see these guys doing many great things for many years both on and off the basketball court." 

The Badgers are off to a 2-1 start this season, and play next at the Sevier Valley Center on Snow's Richfield campus on Wednesday against Impact Academy. "We are excited for the year," Nielson said, "And think we have a good chance to finish in the top spot in our region. But we will have to play our best each night out."