Head Coach: Tim Hansen (3rd Season)

2007-8 Season: 9-12 (5-7, 5th place NEMC)

Returning players: Lauren Gillette, sr. (P); Kristi Killackey, sr. (G); Kaitlin Morrell, sr. (P); Rilee Palm, sr. (P); Ashley Thompson, jr. (G)

New to varsity: Kathy Erickson, jr.; Kayla Hausler, jr.; Josie Wiltse, jr.; Paige Bachelder, so.; Molly Keetch, fr.

Ogemaw Heights has a tall order this season in matching up with the three teams that took the top three spots in the North East Michigan Conference last season.

“Tall,” actually, is the one thing the Falcons as a team are not, as their average height is about 5-5.

“We are again vertically challenged,” Hansen says. “We're going to have to take a look at what's in the water supply around this place.”

But, he adds, “I'm happy as a tornado in a trailer park with the 10 ladies who have chosen to represent the Lady Falcons this season. Everyone worked during the summer to improve their game and each is committed to working together as a team and having fun.”

Five Falcons return from last year's squad that nearly broke even in NEMC play. They're led by junior point guard Ashley Thompson (12.3 points per game), who broke into the starting lineup early in her freshman season and never let go of that spot. Senior guard Kristi Killackey scored six points a game last year but finished with outings of 22 and 14 points in the Falcons' last two league games. Rilee Palm, at 5-10, gives the Falcons their primary source of height, while Kaitlin Morrell and Lauren Gillette also return.

With their overall athleticism, hopes the tornadic aspect of things translates to his team's play on the court.

“All 10 girls are multi-sport student-athletes,” Hansen says. “That's an asset. This group of young ladies all have great attitudes. We are going to enjoy going into battle together each and every night. You can count on (them) to play hard and with class every night with help from the best student section around.”

Ogemaw's schedule is unforgiving but should give the Falcons what they need to prepare for the post-season. In addition to the “big three” of Tawas, SSC and Glenn, Pinconning and Whittemore-Prescott have new coaches in place, and Oscoda is no longer a part of the NEMC (though Ogemaw does play the Owls twice). The non-league slate also includes highly-regarded Alpena – which beat the Falcons by 32 last year – and two contests with a Cadillac squad that is coming off a tough season but usually is very strong.

“We start the season off with that tough road test at Alpena,” Hansen says, “so we'll have a good barometer from the get-go.”