WAVERLY, Iowa – With more newcomers compared to returners on the Wartburg men's basketball team this year, seventeen-year head coach, Dick Peth, said it's a little too early to be certain which direction the team will take.
 
This season there are seven players returning with some kind of experience that will replace the positions of three seniors that made a large impact last season.
 
"We may go through some growing pains early on," Peth said. "There's lots to replace but there are leaders on the team that will do whatever it takes to put the team in position to win.
 
Top senior all-conference returner Eddie Diemer (Cedar Falls) brings strong leadership to the team and is capable of being one of the top centers in the IIAC conference, Peth said.
 
"People tend to gravitate towards others that make them better and Eddie is that guy," Peth said. "He's more concerned with winning compared to individual stats and knows how to communicate effectively to the team."
 
Other top returners include seniors Tanner Kramer (Hayfield, Minn.), Thomas Perkins (Sun Valley, Nev.) and Brett Algren (LeClaire) who bring experience in their positions on the court, sharp shooting skills and leadership positions.
 
Junior Clay Cook (West Branch) and sophomore Alec Boyd (Bolingbrook, Ill.) are also expected to make an impact on this year's team by already showing signs of improvement during the non-conference season, Peth said.
 
Key newcomers include Jordan Brookter (New Orleans, La.), Jordan Cannon (Bolingbrook, Ill.) and Nick Webber (Peosta) who also show a great understanding of the game through scrimmage play and the capability of making an impact defensively and offensively.
 
With practice beginning nearly a month ago, Peth said the coaching staff can't gauge the players on only what they have accomplished this far.
 
"We plan on playing, for certain, ten guys in the rotation," Peth said. "We have lots to work on and lots to do before the season begins."
 
With the season approaching, Peth said he is really excited the amount of ball sharing at practice and the overall teamwork.
 
"The ball sharing on this team is better than anytime I remember in the past four or five years and the guys don't care who scores," Peth said. "There are seven guys on this team that could be leading scorers in any given game.
Peth said he is also excited about several players that can shoot parameter and are some of the top three-point shooters in the conference.
 
"This team has the ability to complement each other," Peth said.
 
Considering conference play, Peth said the University of Dubuque will be at the top of the conference but it is hard to say what other top teams the Knights will play against.
 
Wartburg opens the season at home on Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Buzz Levick Tournament against Crown College.