Veteran-rich Pioneers looking at individual gains

? Pioneers to feature junior-heavy lineup in 2012-13.

With 15 upperclassmen out for the Maharishi School boys basketball team this winter, the biggest challenge for head coach Mitch Haas might be finding them all playing time.

Though the Pioneers lost five seniors ? four of whom were starters ? to graduation this past year, they welcome back one of the more experienced squads in recent memory. Four seniors and 11 juniors are out, and a few sophomores also are in the mix for playing time, according to Haas.

?We have 14 or 15 players who, at any given time, could be in the starting rotation, so the challenge is in having healthy competition among the players,? said Haas, who will be leading the Pioneers for the seventh straight season. ?We need a lot of people to contribute.?

With so many players of a similar ability vying for court time, Haas isn?t about to name one starting lineup. Even so, about six players have stood out to him in preseason practices.

At 6-foot-3, Surya Sawhney is one of those standouts and the lone returning starter from last season?s 1-21 campaign. The junior has the height and athleticism to play any of the five positions, and to demonstrate he finished his sophomore season first on the team in blocks (13), and second in steals (21) and assists (16).

Juniors Rashan Anderson and Suraj Pullapantula will also play a big role in the Pioneers? offense after receiving court time as sophomores. The speedy guards are both sound defenders and the Pioneers? top long-range threats; both of them shot 40 percent from behind the 3-point arc last winter.

?Suraj is a much-improved shooter from last year, and Rashan should continue to put great pressure on the ball,? said Haas.

The pair will be joined by sophomore Bimba Shrestha in the backcourt, and juniors Avery Mullenneaux and Mickey DeAngelis will provide Maharishi School with a few big bodies down low.

Then, an additional six players will be in the mix for big minutes this winter. Sophomore Alex Hoffmann and Kevin Wu provide depth at guard, while seniors Luis Giron, Prasad Monk, Chenlong Ge and Hong Li Liu give Maharishi School added size in the paint.

?There are even a few boys extra that I didn?t even mention that will play key roles,? Haas added.

Of course, the team will need everything it can get out of its many players this season. After earning three wins combined in the past two seasons, Haas knows the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South will be tough as nails once more.

?We have to play hard, and a lot of guys are going to have to contribute with their hustle,? said Haas. ?We?re going to have to take good shots only, and we?re going to have to play with speed.

?I?m just hoping that everyone can play to their potential, as individuals and together as a team. And be good students. It all starts in the classroom,? he added.

The Pioneers kicked off the season Tuesday against West Burlington. They continue their homestand tonight vs. Holy Trinity.