2006-7 Season: 2-18 (0-12 North East Michigan Conference)

Head Coach: Bob Leslie (2nd year, also coached team 1993-95)

Returning players: Mark Jakubik, sr. (F); Kane Dietzel, sr. (F); Eddie Beckley, sr. (G); Austin Swanson, jr. (G); Matt Ackerman, jr. (G).

New to varsity: Dakota Popielarz, sr. (F); Billy Raushi, jr. (G/F); Tristan Kohlhoff, jr. (F); Chris Downes, so.; Tadd DeCaen, so.

Outlook: The Cardinals have yet to win an NEMC game in their two seasons back in the league, but W-P coach Bob Leslie expects that to change this season. Despite coming off a 2-18 season, the Cards were blessed last year with a talented group of underclassmen that with more seasoning look to be far more competitive this year.

Returning starters include junior guard Austin Swanson (11 point / game) and his 25-foot range, junior guard Matt Ackerman (3.4 points / game) and senior forward Mark Jakubik, the team's leading rebounder. Senior forward Kane Dietzel saw plenty of time moving bodies around under the basket, and senior Eddie Beckley also returns.

"We definitely expect more wins this year," Leslie said. "We'll be competitive for sure with the North Star teams on our schedule. Overall I think our schedule is even tougher than last year though -- all the teams in the league have so many starters back, and we picked up Beaverton, which is loaded again.

"But we have good speed and some height and should be able to press. We played well against some NEMC teams last year, so I expect us to be better."

First-year senior Dakota Popielarz gives the Cards another front-court option, while juniors Billy Raushi and Tristan Kohlhoff and two sophomores round out the roster. Raushi, who didn't play basketball last season, once scored 41 points as a freshman in a JV game.

"We'll be able to post him up at times," Leslie said. "And having a 6-1 guard with Austin's range isn't something a lot of teams have. I expect we'll fare OK."