2006-7 Season: 15-6 (7-5 North East Michigan Conference)

Head Coach: Todd Kaems (2nd year)

Head Coach: Todd Kaems

2006-7 Season: 15-6 (7-5, 4th place North East Michigan Conference)

Returning players: Shaun Jordan, sr. (G); Dale Kolnitys, sr. (G); Phil Barnes, sr. (F); Aaron Pfeiffer, sr. (F); Luke Adaline, sr. (C); Thomas Pinkerton, sr. (F); Jesse Siwek, so. (G)

New to varsity: Henri Ikonen, sr. (G); Jeff Janis, jr. (F); Anthony Knafla, jr. (G); Alex Collins, jr. (F); Kyle Knapp, jr. (F)

Outlook: Tawas finished fourth in the North East Michigan Conference race last year, but it was a four-horse race and the Braves were very much in the mix until late in the season. Like the other contenders, They'll not look to different from last season, either, returning the bulk of their squad, adding a quality exchange student and a couple of last year's JV athletes that could make a difference.

"We have a nice combination of size, strength and speed," said Tawas coach Todd Kaems, who is also doubling as the as the girls varsity coach. "We have some good shooters and our ballhandling is improving."

The Braves bring back four starters, including senior guard Shaun Jordan (6.0 points, 5.7 assists, 9.2 rebounds per game), sophomore point guard Jesse Siwek (6.6 points, 3.1 assists/game), senior forward Phil Barnes (10.8 points, 4.3 rebounds/game) and senior forward Tom Pinkerton (10.6 points, 9.4 rebounds/game). Also returning are senior guard Dale Kolnitys, senior forward Aaron Pfeiffer and 7-foot senior center Luke Adaline.

The X-factor is Finnish exchange student Henri Ikonen, who made an impact on the Tawas soccer team but whom area opponents have yet to see on the basketball court.

Despite high expectations, Kaems said the Braves need to cut down on their turnovers (more than 17 a game) and improve their 60 percent free throw shooting.

"If both those areas don't improve," he said, "we should expect this season to be similar to the last."

Of course, standing in the way of the Braves and a return to the top are a number of other NEMC contenders with the same idea.

"I expect the league to be the toughest that it has been in many years,' Kaems said. "We're going to have to play hard and well to beat anyone in this league.

"That said, I think we can be in the mix for a league title at the end of the year. We definitely have the potential for a very nice year. I suppose the goal is always the same: get better, stay injury-free and play your best every night. If we can do that, who knows?"