The SCC Storm basketball team faces a difficult schedule as they get ready for the upcoming season.

The Division 2 Storm will play several D1 schools this year and added new foes in Lakeland (Illinois), Neosho (Kansas) and Southeastern (Iowa).

Head Coach Joel Wooton is entering his tenth year as coach of the Storm and said he wants to play “fast” on both ends of the floor and run motion offense. He added that the difficult schedule and the team’s personnel may require adjustments.

Southeast returns Altez Davis, John Swift and Tyrell Allen from last year’s squad.

The coach said he is looking at the returning sophomores for leadership.

“John Swift is playing well and is starting to assert himself in a leadership role.” Wooton said. “Altez Davis needs to do more of that. Tyrell Allen is becoming more of a leader as well,” he added.

The team added 11 newcomers. Of those players, Wooton said Liam McRae (Palmerston North, New Zealand) and Synder Cenecharles (Miramar, Fla.) have played well in the preseason.

Wooton also expects good things from Rakeem Hicks (Salley, S.C.), a transfer from Coffeyville CC. Hicks was a top 100 recruit out of high school.

The coach says he expects the team to be better and deeper in the front court, but added that replacing all-conference point guard Josh Roberts will not be easy.

Wooton said team chemistry continues to be a work in progress.

“We have some really competitive guys who hate to lose, and that sometimes creates chemistry issues,” Wooton said.

The Storm open the season on Saturday, Nov. 1, against the Hastings JV in the Central CC Classic and debut at home on Friday, Nov. 7, against Cloud County.