LEWISTON, Idaho – Frontier Conference basketball action begins Thursday and the Lewis-Clark State Warriors jump right into the thick of things when Montana-Western visits the LC Activity Center. Tipoff for the women's game is 5:30 p.m. with the men playing at 7:30.
 
Both Warrior coaches are blending veterans with newcomers – and are having success doing it.
 
The LC women, ranked second in the preseason NAIA poll and off to a 7-2 start, are taking on a team with a similar makeup in that the Bulldogs (7-1, 1-0) also have new faces in the lineup.
 
"This is a team that is extremely talented," LC coach Brian Orr said. "They're unknown, in a lot of ways for us, because there are a lot of new players. They have, arguably, the best point guard (Brianna King) in the league and they have several new players who have added to their depth."
 
Orr counters with a young but balanced group. Senior Lauren Johnson leads a list of three players with double-figure scoring averages with 11.9 points per game. True freshman Peyton Souvenir is next at 10.2 and veteran post Brittany Tackett is at 10.1. Just a field goal or two back, is Jossilyn Blackman at 9.8.
 
One of the areas of greatest improvement for the Warriors, Orr said, is their ability to rebound. Blackman, a junior, is the LC leader with 6.6 per game with Hailey Turner, also a junior, averages 5.3.
 
"This is the first time in four years we've been able to hold our own, or more than hold our own, on the boards," Orr said.
 
He also likes the defensive effort he's seeing night in and night out.
 
"This group can defend," he said.
 
Orr has diligently used his bench in the pre-conference and the development of the newcomers is evident.
 
"We hope our system is going to allow us to run players in and out a little more," Orr said. "All of our newcomers have contributed in a positive way. We need them to play key roles this year."
 
Men's coach Brandon Rinta is in a similar situation.
 
"We've continued to take steps each weekend," said Rinta, whose team is 8-1 heading into the conference opener. "The important thing is we're improving – especially with as many new guys as we have."
 
The Warriors' balance is evident in that six players have double-figure scoring averages with seniors Race Martin (13.9) and Jeremy Franklin (13.1) leading the way. Adding to mix are transfers Darius Alexander (12.7), Cory Dollarhide (12.3) and Cordel Hankerson (10.6), while junior Derrick White averages 10.0. A similar story unfolds on the boards with Martin averaging 7.1, Alexander 7.0 and Franklin 6.0.
 
Rinta said they'll need that balance and depth when they take on Montana-Western (7-0) – perennially one of the top teams in the Frontier Conference.
 
"Montana-Western is very good," Rinta said. "They were ranked in the top 10 in the preseason. They're very deserving of that. They have a lot of returners coming back from a Sweet Sixteen team. It's going to be a really good test for our team.
 
"Montana-Western is a team that we've had a lot of battles with over the last five years. Thursday is just going to be another one of those games."
 
Notes

• Thursday night's doubleheader is a Toys For Tots game. Fans who bring a new, unwrapped toy will be admitted without charge.
• The Warriors also are helping wrap up No Shave November with a beard contest at halftime of the second game.
• And, LC is celebrating Star Wars with a halftime competition during the first game for the best Star Wars costume.
• On Friday, Warrior Athletics is having an apparel sale with cotton T-shirts just $10. Shoppers also will receive $10 off of a $50 purchase, $15 off of a $75 purchase, or $20 off of a $100 purchase. The sale is from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.