Head Coach: Todd Kaems

2007-8 Season: 19-4 (10-2, 1st place NEMC)

Returning players: Gina Gerow, sr. (G); Jenny Jacques, sr. (F); Alyssa Gracik, sr. (G); Rachel Adaline, jr. (C.); Audrey Thoryk, jr. (G); Molly Stoll, so. (F).

New to varsity: Courtney Clothier, jr.; Carly Meshew, jr.; Emily Gracik, so.; Dana Kolnitys, so.

Outlook: Tawas Area squeaked past Standish-Sterling and John Glenn last season to win both North East Michigan Conference and district championships. Those three should again do battle for the league title as all three return most of their key players from a year ago.

“(Our goals) are always the same,” says Tawas coach Todd Kaems. “We hope to stay injury-free, get better each day and play hard every night. If we can do that we have a chance to win every time we step on the floor.”

The Braves return plenty of girls that are experienced at doing just that. They'll be especially strong in the paint, where 6-3 junior center Rachel Adaline (11.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 6.1 blocks per game), a third-year starter, and 5-8 sophomore Molly Stoll (5.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.8 bpg) give the Braves an inside tandem no area team can match.

Senior sharpshooter Gina Gerow (8.8 ppg) returns to spread opposing defenses, while junior guard Audrey Thoryk (3.3 ppg, 2.6 assists per game), another third-year varsity mainstay, also return to the starting lineup. Senior forward Jenny Jacques and senior guard Alyssa Gracik also return.

“Our biggest strengths are defense and rebounding,” Kaems says. “We have nice size and have added some quick and aggressive players that should help us on the glass and make it difficult for teams to get quality shots.”

Among the four varsity newcomers is sophomore Dana Kolnitys, a last name that has dotted Tawas boys and girls basketball rosters for the past decades and foiled opposing teams and P.A. announcers alike.

For the Braves to defend either of their titles, they will need to improve at the free throw line, where they shot just 50 percent last year, and limit their turnovers.

“We need to get those to 15 (a game) and 60 percent,” Kaems says.

The Braves also beefed up their non-conference schedule, which includes a contest at perennial state title contender Saginaw Nouvel in January. The NEMC schedule kicks into high gear early as well, as Tawas opens NEMC play at Standish-Sterling on Dec. 12.

“Conditioning is always a concern coming into the year,” Kaems says. “I believe our players are committed to making sure we are ready.