Will County Gazette

The Joliet Community College men's and women's basketball teams both posted successful 2015-16 seasons, and both coaches are optimistic about having even better seasons this year.

Both teams are practicing and getting ready for the upcoming season.The men's team opens at home against Olivet Nazarene at 7 p.m. on Nov. 1. The women's team also opens Nov. 1, when it hosts Oakton Community College at 5 p.m.

The men’s team finished 23-10 last season under Hall of Fame coach Joe Kuhn, entering his 20th year as the Wolves’ mentor.

| Contributed photo

The top two returnees for the men's team are sophomores Robert Brooks and Johnny Campbell. Brooks averaged 12.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while Campbell checked in with 7.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest.

 "Both Robbie and Johnny have the ability to score in a variety of ways," Kuhn told the Will County Gazette. "Both should help lead this group of freshmen."

Top newcomers include University of Cincinnati transfer Rob Blissit and College of DuPage transfer Andrew Sawchuk.

Kuhn has a guard-heavy roster, with Jarrett Gmazel, Richie Elias, Daevion Dixon, Kaveon Rogers, Cole Charlesworth, Davonte Crowder  and Clinton Berhow.

 "This season, we have a wide variety of guards that have the ability to shoot the ball," Kuhn said. "We have a much better balanced group than we have had the last few seasons."

Forwards include Max Ahern, Mitchell Kwasigroch, and Logan Ludy.

"All of our forwards are very smart basketball players," Kuhn said. "They are active in the paint and rebound very well. All have the ability to score."

The JCC women’s team finished 16-13 last season, and coach Shaun Sanderson is optimistic because of the team’s experience.

"I am very excited to have this new core of talent for the upcoming season," Sanderson said. "We have had our eye on the majority of this group for nearly three years."

The top returning Lady Wolves are a trio of sophomores, including Jamari McAfee, Treanna Perry and Angelina Byers.

McAfee, who plays the point, averaged 11.0 points per game and 4.0 assists per game. Shooting guard Byers connected on 47 three-pointers last season in averaging 8.1 points per contest.

And forward Perry averaged 7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

"Jamari is the most experienced player that we have," Sanderson said. "Her leadership ability will be tested this season. Angelina and Treanna gained a lot of experience during their freshman season and will be looked upon to contribute."

Sanderson also possesses a guard-heavy roster, with Deesha Breeford, Rebecca Gorman, Destiny Villalejo, Kierra Tyler, Kianna Campbell, Latricia Dean and Ciara Mayes.

"All of our guards are part of the core that will be asked to score for us each game," Sanderson said.

"We have so many options to use with this team to create match-up problems," Sanderson said. "I am really looking forward to finding different combinations that will work in our system.''

Forwards include Cora Likins, Cara Davis, Nia Harris, Morgan Jones, Zakah Blake, Latonya Walker and Bailee McDaniel.

 "With our size in the post position, we should be very physical and be able to dominate the boards," Sanderson said. "This is a great group of athletes, and I am ready to see what we can do on the court this year."