By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - If there is one thing Brandywine's varsity basketball team is returning this year, it's experience.
The Bobcats return eight lettermen from last year's squad, four being starters, and head coach Dave Roeder admits that the experience will help his team in the competitive Lakeland Conference.
Returning for the Lady 'Cats is senior guard Kalie Newman, who was an All-Conference selection last year and is a four year starter.
Senior center Kelli Zache and sophomore Katie Smallwood both had over 200 rebounds each for Brandywine last season.
Defensive specialist Rachel Batman, Brooke Allen, Kendra Zache and Kelli and Keri Konopka all return to the roster for the Bobcats.
Last season, Brandywine finished with a 7-14 overall record, going 5-8 in the LAC and Roeder hopes to see an improvement this year.
Roeder admits that Bridgman is going to be the biggest threat in the LAC this season.
The Bobcats open their season on Monday when they travel to Centreville for the Centreville Tournament, which includes Constantine and Burr Oak.
Game time is set to begin at 5 p.m. and continue through Tuesday.