Chad Helle believes he has put together the type of roster to match his style as he enters his third season leading the Iowa Central men's basketball program.

The Tritons return five sophomores from a season ago to help bring along 13 freshmen. 

"It feels like the roster is more of what I want and a team that fits my personality," Helle said. "Those first two years, I was still trying to figure it out, trying to figure out what I wanted to be and what kids I wanted. I think I've figured it out here in the third year with the recruiting class.

"I want guys that are going to show up every single day on the court, in practice, in the classroom; just be every day guys."

Javonte Keck, Jaxon Smith, Jordan Majeed, Jett Pinneo and Mahad Faisal are all back after helping Iowa Central to six wins last year. Keck, a two-year starter, averaged almost 18 points and seven rebounds but is recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the preseason.

Smith posted eight points and four rebounds per game while shooting 35 percent from the 3-point line, Majeed averaged five points per game and Pinneo saw time in 17 games. 

"We've been able to work some different kids into the rotation with Javonte's injury," Helle said. "The biggest thing is showing improvement. We had a jamboree to start the preseason that didn't go very well, but we played better in our final scrimmage against Grand View. You just hope to take major steps from one to the next."

With the sophomores, Helle knows he has a group he can rely on to "do things the right way."

"They bring that experience that you can't teach," he said. "They have been there and understand both the physical and mental part of what it takes, which is a good thing. They aren't really vocal leaders, but more of the lead-by-example kind of leaders."

Josh Baker, Kevin Taylor, Bo Barber, Kyler Matthias and Kael Stulo are among those newcomers who are competing for minutes on the court to begin the season. 

"Josh is a blue-collar kid that works extremely hard and wanted to be coached, same with Kevin," Helle said. "Bo can be dynamic, but needs to understand pace of play. Kyler and Kael are in that same mold of Josh and Kevin in that they work hard and listen.

"We might not be overly talented, but I feel like we'll execute better than we have the last two years."

Helle is once again assisted by Blake Peterson and Ky Kramer.

-By Dana Becker