Scouting Burlington Central Rockets

Burlington Central Rockets

Coach Stephanie Smith (1st year)

Conference Big Northern (East)

Last year 16-13 (6-4 BN-East)

Top returners Seniors Katie McNutt (5-5 G), Jordan Maisto (5-5 G), Megan Minehart (5-8 G), Liz Halbmaier (5-8 F), Taylor Colby (5-10 G), Mary McCartney (6-2 C), junior Ali Settanni (6-2 C)

Top newcomers Senior Lauren Perucco (5-7 G); juniors Michelle Tuma (5-9 G), Araceli Munoz (5-5 G); sophomore Brenda Thasavong (6-0 F).

Outlook With former Hampshire and NIU star Smith now in charge of the program, look for an up-tempo Rockets team that pushes the ball up the floor and plays a tough double and triple-teaming defense. "We've got a well-rounded group of girls," said Smith, whose team won 17 games in the summer. "They give 110 percent all the time and they are very coachable. They're becoming more confident with themselves as basketball players and as a team." Maisto, a returning all-area player, averaged 13.3 points per game last season, was a 78 percent free-throw shooter, dished out 3.7 assists per game and led the area with 62 3-pointers. Colby averaged 13 points and 6 rebounds and Settanni was third in the area in rebounding (8.0 average) and scored 6.8 points per game. Smith expects balanced scoring with McNutt contributing from a guard spot as well as Tuma and Munoz. Perucco returns to basketball after not playing last season and Thasavong, who played up at times last year as a freshman, should help keep defenses from double-teaming Settanni. "Our goals are to be realistic and compete," said Smith, who brings with her the Hampshire mentality of winning 20 games., a conference title and a regional. "As long as we're competing and working hard those 20s and conferences and regionals will come. Our goal right now is to believe in each other and focus on the fundamentals."