Coming off a 21-win campaign, the Iowa Central women’s basketball team will be able to lean on three key sophomores to help bring along a large group of newcomers.

Head coach Sabah Dickerson enters her third season following four years as an assistant with the Tritons.

Former Fort Dodge Senior High standout Lainey Maehl and fellow Iowans Amaya Terrell and Olivia Miller all played in at least 28 games last year, with Maehl making 20 starts throughout her first season of collegiate basketball.

“This is the first season that I have relied more on our sophomores to lead our freshmen and put out small fires,” Dickerson said. “My preseason focus has been to develop more leaders within our program. JUCO often feels coach-led but I believe sustainable success comes from consistent team culture.

“The only other significant challenge lately has been scheduling. Unfortunately, some colleges have struggled to get numbers, and we have had to rework our game schedule a few times.”

Maehl posted almost seven points and four rebounds per night, shooting 54 percent from the field. Miller started three games and played in 29, scoring 69 points with 11 made 3-pointers and 41 rebounds.

Terrell finished the year with 68 points, 10 triples, 33 rebounds, 14 assists and 12 steals while playing 28 games with a start.

Free throw shooting was a key contributor in the successful season for Iowa Central, as they shot 80.3 percent as a team. They will need to replace leading scorers Laney Pilcher, Emily Theiss and Kaitlyn Tendal, who all scored over 300 points and accounted for 204 made free throws.

Pilcher, Theiss and Tendal were also the leading rebounders and had almost 200 assists with 91 made 3-pointers. All three graduated from the program due to credit hours earned.

“These sophomores can actually complete their degrees in December but will be taking additional classes to transition smoothly to their four-year institutions,” Dickerson said. “Maehl did a great job for us last season in the low post but will be in her natural small forward position this year. Olivia and Amaya each had bright spots last season.

“We are looking for them to be more consistent as they’ve gained that valuable freshman season of experience.”

Leela Jones and Hannah Bogdonovich are both competing to run the offense while Catherine Clemente, Kayla Johns-McGarity and Ruby Stuckemeyer provide an array of valuable skills.

“Leela and Hannah are point guards with good foot speed, court vision and have learned our offense rather quickly,” Dickerson said. “Catherine, Kayla and Ruby are all true power forwards who can finish in the lane, alter shots, rebound and block shots for us.

“Oddly similar to last season, our focus has been getting the freshmen to understand the rigors of being a collegiate student athlete. They’ve grown exceptionally well in the weight room and have been more focused in recent weeks as we have slowly moved to November.”

The Tritons have recorded a winning season four of the past five years, reaching the 20-win mark twice during that time. They have also won at least six conference games each year since 2019-20.

Kirkwood and Iowa Western shared the league title a year ago with both capturing regional crowns. The Eagles knocked off Iowa Central, who was picked fifth in the preseason coaches poll, in the finals

Dickerson will be assisted by former NJCAA player of the year Ashley Tull, who is in her first season with the staff. Tull helped Kirkwood capture the 2022 national title, is a graduate of North Linn and played for the University of Central Missouri.

The Tritons open their season at home on Friday vs. Graceland JV. They will play eight times inside Hodges Fieldhouse before 2024 ends.

2024-25 IOWA CENTRAL WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Roster

Sophomores

Amaya Terrell, Maquoketa; Olivia Miller, Homestead; Lainey Maehl, Fort Dodge; Rebecca Kabbah, Des Moines.

Freshmen

Leela Jones, Kansas; Catherine Clemente, California; Ashlin Jacobsen, South Dakota; Sharon Greek, Colorado; Kayla Johns-McGarity, Texas; Hannah Bogdonovich, McGregor; Kiara Baptiste, Nebraska; Madisen Fay, Ruthven; Ruby Stuckemeyer, Illinois; Mikiyah Holmes, Missouri; Niamraj Ballard, Illinois; Mia Shanks, Humeston; MacKenna Bush, Nebraska; Gabby Fry, Osceola; Kha’Maya Hawkins, Missouri.

Schedule

Nov. 1 — Graceland JV; 9 — at Labette; 13 — Central-Columbus; 17 — at Southeast; 22 — North Platte; 23 — Highland; 25 — Grand View JV; 30 — Waldorf JV.

Dec. 4 — at Kirkwood; 7 — Ellsworth; 11 — at Marshalltown; 14 — at Iowa Lakes; 18 — Des Moines Area.

Jan. 1 — at Bethany Lutheran JV; 4 — at Iowa Western; 8 — North Iowa Area; 15 — at Northeast; 18 — Southwestern; 22 — Iowa Lakes; 25 — at Ellsworth; 29 — Kirkwood.

Feb. 1 — at Southwestern; 5 — at Des Moines Area; 8 — Iowa Western; 15 — at North Iowa Area; 19 — Northeast; 22 — Marshalltown.