Scouting Westminster Christian boys basketball

Westminster Christian Warriors

Coach: Bruce Firchau (sixth year at Westminster Christian, 79-60; career, 462-398)

Conference: Northeast Athletic

2009-10 record: 21-9 (8-1 NAC, second)

Top returning players: Josh Beachler (Jr., 6-3 F), Luke Carani (Sr., 6-1 F), Brandon Cork (Sr., 5-9 G), Ian Dutcher (Sr., 6-8 C), Arturo Gallegas (Sr., 6-1 G), Steven Hoeflich (Sr., 5-9 G), Andrew Mason (Sr., 6-3 G/F)

Top newcomers: Christian Benson (Sr., 6-1 F)

Season outlook: The Warriors are built around their big man, Ian Dutcher, whose 75 blocks lifted Westminster Christian to the top defensive ranking in the area for the second straight season. However, the Warriors graduated their two best perimeter defenders, leaving the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s top offensive player to a group headed by capable senior guard Steven Hoeflich. Andrew Mason is a quality outside shooter who last season advanced to Peoria in the 3-point shooting contest. Swishing outside shots will be important to keep defenses from collapsing on Dutcher, a returning all-area selection who averaged 13.7 points and 8.7 rebounds as a junior. He is being actively recruited by Wheaton College, Olivet Nazarene and Taylor University, among others. Athletic junior Josh Beachler (6-3) gained experience last season and could develop into a consistent scorer as a junior. Christian Benson returns to the program after sitting out for two seasons. He could give the Warriors a rebounding lift. Arturo Gallegas is a foreign exchange student from Spain who plays at a high level in his country. He was forced to sit out last season due to eligibility rules. “We’ll be a quality eight deep,” Westminster Christian hall-of-fame coach Bruce Firchau said. “If we get some shooting from the perimeter to keep things honest for Ian, we’ll be OK. The effort has been great. We need to see an improvement in the execution as we go. We’re stressing that it’s not about where we’re at, it’s about where we want to be down the road. We have to take care of the basketball.” The Warriors will take a one-year break from participating in the Marengo Holiday Tournament. They have accepted a one-time invitation to play in a tournament in Richmond, Ind.