A brief preview of the 2009-2010 Intercity boys basketball teams.

Bloomington Purple Raiders

Coach: Peter Goff, 1st season

Last year: 12-14, 8-5 in Big 12 Conference (tied for third). Lost in Class 3A regional final.

Roster: James Wimp, F, 6-3, Sr.; Kyndell Smith, G, 5-10, Sr.; Nate Caldwell, G, 5-10, Sr.; Tim Richmond, F, 6-4, Sr.; Terrance Richmond, F, 6-3, Sr.; Darius Mims, F, 6-2, Sr.; T.J. Riggs, G-F, 6-3, Jr.; Cairie Brown, G, 6-0, Jr.; Jeremy Fields, G, 5-10, Jr.; Brandan Monroe, G, 5-10, Jr.; Cole Jackson, F, 6-3, Jr.; Caleb Cannon, F, 6-3, Jr.; Chris Trunell, C, 6-6, So.

FYI: Senior forward James Wimp and junior guard-forward T.J. Riggs are among the Raiders' returnees and have shown good leadership in practice, said coach Peter Goff. The former Sterling coach likes his team's athleticism and quickness. The Raiders have five transfers who formerly attended school in Bloomington and have returned. BHS lost first-team All-Area guard D'Mitri Riggs and second-team forward James Monroe to graduation.

Quoting: "These guys have a great work ethic. I think they're eager. One thing I'm a little concerned about is trying to convert what we do in practice to a game. If we have a little adversity and have to reach deep down, how will they respond? We think by getting them in shape and putting them in game situations in practice that they'll work through it." - Coach Peter Goff.

Calvary Christian Knights

Coach: Mike Touma, 8th season

Last year: 16-11, 10-2 in East Central Illinois Conference (tied for 1st).

Roster: Seth Howerton, G, 5-7, Sr.; Grant Touma, G-F, 6-5, Sr.; Scott Liu, G, 5-10, Sr.; Alex Tripke, G, 5-9, Jr.; Trevor Schaffer, F, 6-3, Jr.; Dillon Marcus, F, 6-2, Jr.; D.J. Anderson, F, 5-10, Jr.; Danny Kern, C, 6-4, Jr.; Bryson Barth, G, 6-0, So.; Kyle Freeze, F, 5-10, Fr.

FYI: Senior guard-forward Grant Touma averaged 27.7 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 4.0 steals per game last year. He has added some muscle to his 185-pound frame. Also back from last year's top six are senior guards Seth Howerton and Scott Liu and junior forward Dillon Marcus. Calvary lost guard Josh McCorkle and center Jake Kern to graduation. Six-four junior Danny Kern, Jake's brother, likely will be the fifth starter.

Quoting: "I'm looking forward to the year with the experience we have. Everybody is a year older and we expect them to be better. We will miss Josh (McCorkle) and Jake (Kern), there's no doubt about that. Hopefully, some of the other guys will take up the slack." - Coach Mike Touma.

Central Catholic Saints

Coach: Jason Welch, 3rd season

Last year: 18-9, 10-4 in Corn Belt Conference (tied for 2nd). Lost in Class 2A regional final.

Roster: Jake Walters, F, 6-4, Sr.; Adam McIntosh, F, 6-4, Sr.; Drew Talkington, F, 6-4, Sr.; Kevin Guidry-Jones, G, 6-1, Sr.; Brett Bange, G, 6-0, Sr.; Hayden Hoerdemann, G, 6-3, Jr.; Ryan Schmidt, G, 6-0, Jr.; Brad Connor, G, 5-10, Jr.; Shayne Matthis, G, 6-2, Jr.; Kevin Rollins, G, 6-1, Jr.; Tim Coonan, G, 6-1, Jr.; Chris Eakle, G, 6-2, Jr.; Nick Jordan, F, 6-2, Jr.

FYI: Junior Hayden Hoerdemann enters his third year as a starter in a new position. Hoerdemann will take over at point guard following the graduation of Tom Norton, a first-team All-Area selection who is now at Truman State. Hoerdemann averaged 15.2 points per game last year and is being recruited by Division I schools. Senior forwards Adam McIntosh and Jake Walters and junior guard Ryan Schmidt also are returning starters. Senior forward Drew Talkington saw extensive action off the bench.

Quoting: "We have guys who have seen quite a bit of playing time. They know what it's like to compete at a high level. Hayden (Hoerdemann) has really focused on his ballhandling because for us to be good, he has to be the guy who's getting other people involved. These guys compete every night in practice. They bring it. I think that will serve them well." - Coach Jason Welch.

Cornerstone Christian Cyclones

Coach: Rick Owens, 2nd season

Last year: 8-12

Roster: Chris Ayers, F-C, 6-1, Sr.; Logan Belgrave, G, 5-8, Sr.; Taylor Clark, G, 6-0, Sr.; Strother Wilson, F, 6-3, Sr.; Wes Harman, F, 6-0, Jr.; Shane Wallin, C, 6-3, Jr.; Nathan Pavey, G, 5-8, So.; Kyle Woodrum, F, 6-0, So.; Jacob Arnold, C, 6-6, Fr.; Drew Detloff, G, 5-3, Fr.; Jordan Hall, C, 6-2, Fr.; Kal Knapp, G-F, 5-11, Fr.; Brock Lucie, F, 6-0, Fr.; Noah Mitchell, G, 5-5, Fr.; Drew Schwartz, G, 5-7, Fr.; Ethan Smart, F, 6-2, Fr.; Jacob Struetker, G, 5-7, Fr.; Mitchell Vieth, F, 6-1, Fr.

FYI: The Cyclones have two fourth-year starters in seniors Taylor Clark and Strother Wilson. Clark averaged nine points per game and Wilson eight last year. Wilson was 5-6 as a freshman, 5-9 as a sophomore, 6-0 last year and is 6-3 this season. Senior guard Logan Belgrave converted from hockey to basketball last year and has made big strides. Senior forward-center Chris Ayers is expected to be the defensive stopper. A 10-man freshman class is headed by 6-6, 205-pound center Jacob Arnold.

Quoting: "We're hoping (Clark and Wilson) will each get 12 to 15 points a game this year. We need 25 to 30 points a game combined from those two guys. This team has a chance to be the first Cornerstone team over .500." - Coach Rick Owens.

Normal Community Ironmen

Coach: Dave Witzig, 11th season

Last year: 24-7, 10-3 in Big 12 Conference (2nd). Lost in Class 4A sectional semifinals.

Roster: Tre Jones, G, 6-1, Sr.; Kyle Dierkes, C, 6-8, Sr.; Kevin Bischoff, G, 6-0, Sr.; Nathan Haynes, C, 6-6, Sr.; Taylor Lierman, G, 5-11, Sr.; Matt Smith, G, 5-10, Sr.; Brett Anderson, F, 6-4, Sr.; Parker Musselman, C, 6-8, Jr.; Max Martin, G, 6-2, Jr.; Brent Turner, G, 6-0, Jr.; DJ Gillispie, C, 6-6, Jr.; Anthony Goodar, F, 6-3, Jr.; Anthony Beane, G, 6-0, So.

FYI: Senior point guard Kevin Bischoff was a second-team All-Area pick last year and begins his fourth year on the varsity, as does 6-6 senior center Nathan Haynes. Bischoff had ankle surgery in July to repair ligament damage. He is practicing on a limited basis and will start tonight. Six-eight senior Kyle Dierkes is back after missing last year because of knee surgery. Another key man could be sophomore guard Anthony Beane Jr., son of Illinois State assistant coach Anthony Beane.

Quoting: "We have a lot of experience and a lot of different parts we can use ... some height and some good 3-point shooters. We'll see if the guys will make the commitment to playing defense and sharing the basketball and playing hard. One of our strengths should be rebounding, but we'll really rely on guards to get the ball where it needs to go." - Coach Dave Witzig.

Normal West Wildcats

Coach: Brian Cupples, 8th season

Last year: 15-15, 7-6 in Big 12 Conference (6th). Lost in Class 4A regional final.

Roster: Taylor Scheuermann, G, 5-10, Sr.; Brock Stewart, F, 6-4, Sr.; Tyler Bell, G, 6-2, Sr.; Brad Hallstein, F, 6-8, Sr.; Antoine Smith, G, 5-8, Jr.; Montrell Dones, G, 5-9, Jr.; Trey Rogers, G-F, 6-2, Jr.; Jackson Monks, F, 6-5, Jr.; Bryce Bronke, G, 5-9, So.; Austin Stewart, G-F, 6-4, So.; Johnathon Maebane, F, 6-0, So.; Tyler Durham, C, 6-5, So.

FYI: The Wildcats return four players who saw extensive playing time. Senior Taylor Scheuermann is back as the starting point guard, while senior forward Brad Hallstein started much of the season and sophomore guard-forward Austin Stewart started in the second half of the year. Senior guard Tyler Bell was a top reserve. Sophomores Bryce Bronke, a guard, and 6-5 Tyler Durham, a forward, could make an impact along with junior Trey Rogers.

Quoting: "I think if we're willing to share the ball and play unselfishly, we have the ability to be able to score. On nights where we're sharing the ball, we could have three or four guys scoring in double figures. We have the potential to be a good defensive team. But I'm not sure we've sold out on the defensive end yet." - Coach Brian Cupples.

University High Pioneers

Coach: Bob Fitzgerald, 3rd season

Last year: 10-18, 5-9 in Corn Belt Conference (tied for fifth). Lost in Class 3A regional semifinal.

Roster: Eric Robb, G, 6-0, Sr.; Peter Schiller, G, 6-1, Sr.; Nick Pagluica, F, 6-1, Sr.; Connor Brown, F, 6-3, Sr.; Kevin Rapps, F, 6-2, Sr.; Sammie Elem, F, 6-5, Jr.; Brady Knapp, C, 6-7, Jr.; Tommy Schiller, G, 5-9, So.; Kyle Morris, G, 5-8, So.; McKinley Elem, G, 5-11, So.; Marlon Pettis, G, 5-11, So.; Kurtis Ellis, G, 6-0, So.; Bryn Agnew, C, 6-7, So.; Mitch Styczynski, C, 6-6, So.

FYI: The Pioneers have three senior starters back in Peter Schiller, Eric Robb and Connor Brown. Brown became more of a scoring threat in the second half of last season and finished at close to 10 points per game. Also back is 6-6 sophomore Mitch Styczynski, who started at center. He is among seven sophomores on the 14-man roster. The Pioneers have good size with Styczynski, 6-7 junior Brady Knapp and 6-7 sophomore Bryn Agnew.

Quoting: "We're still young, but we're a little more experienced than last year. We have good experience in our senior class. All of the sophomores have made improvement. We're looking to see which ones work better with each other and with the upperclassmen we have. We told the kids we fully expect to be competitive, particularly in the conference." - Coach Bob Fitzgerald.