Scouting: Aurora Christian

Aurora Christian Eagles

Coach: Burney Wilkie (2nd year, 20-9)

Conference: Northern Athletic Conference

2014-15 record: 20-9

Top returning players: Kirsten Madsen (Sr., G), Sami Hultine (Sr., G), Ashley Hochsprung (Sr., F), Carey Tokars (Sr., G), Emily Ward (So. F), Paris Chaney (So., G)

Top newcomers: Tori Henning (Fr.)

Season outlook: The Eagles suffered a tough break before the season began when senior Gabby Galbato tore her ACL/MCL in a volleyball match Sept. 12. Galbato made All-Area as a junior averaging 15 points and 6.6 rebounds with 21 points in Aurora Christian's regional championship win. A tough loss for the Eagles, who overcame a similar bad break last year when Madsen went down after just 9 games when she was averaging 13.9 points per game. She's back for a team still with high goals. "We are very deep at the guard spot, but not very deep inside," Wilkie said. "Our size and lack of depth inside are our biggest weaknesses. We will play an up-tempo style. If we defend well and rebound we will have a great year." The loss of Galbato and Natasha Brown, who averaged 15 rebounds a game last year and had over 1,000 in her career, is a concern, but Aurora Christian does return three starters and three top reserves. Hultine averaged 7 points and 3.5 assists last year and "is playing the best basketball she has ever played right now," according to Wilkie. Tokars and Chaney also will see time at guard while Hochsprung and Ward will battle inside. Wilkie said Henning can step right into the lineup, calling her "a very confident freshman that has the ability to get to the basket and can also shoot the ball pretty well." He knows the Eagles need to take advantage of their strong guard play. "We will have to learn how to win in another way, with our guards being the focal point of most of what we do," Wilkie said. "(Kirsten) has picked up right where she left off." The Eagles also are moving to a new conference. "I know last year Harvest Christian and Luther North were the top two teams in the conference," Wilkie said. "I think we will be very competitive and have a chance to win the conference."