The point of emphasis for a turn around at Galva will be finding someone at point guard. The Wildcats post play should be well off with a pair of big bodies down low. "We have to find a floor general. It's been two seasons since we had a true point guard, and we have a couple guys who have the skill set to fill that role. We're going to work to find out who has the mental toughness to actually fill the position," coach Clay Haurberg said.

What Galva is not lacking is a presence of big men. "Our strength should be our inside game. We have some big bodies who can score the basketball. We will work to refine their post play and chemistry between our frontline players." Jake Verstraete (6'4" Sr. Forward) is coming off a season in which he was named second team all-conference in the Lincoln Trail and was also an honorable mention all-state by the IBCA, and honorable mention all-area by the Rock Island Argus/Moline Dispatch. Verstraete averaged (12.8 ppg/8.1 rpg/2 apg).

The other post player for the Wildcats will be Kile Mott (6'6" So. Center). Mott averaged (7.7 ppg/7.1 rpg/1.2 apg) as a freshman. Other returning starters at Galva will be, Jake McClintic (5'10" Jr. Guard/Forward) and Tauge Rux (5'10" Sr. Guard). McClintic averaged (5.8 ppg & 2.9 rpg), while Rux averaged (3.5 ppg/2.1 rpg/2.8 apg).

Looking for minutes this season will be, Greg Cortes (5'10" Sr. Forward), Quenton Whiteside (5'11" Sr. Forward), transferring in from Kewanee is Matt Pankau (6'3" Sr. Center), Brennan Steward (6'2" Sr. Guard), Trevor Foley (6'1" Sr. Guard), Jake Warner (5'10" So. Guard), Derek Foley (5'5" Jr. Guard), and Cody Wexell (5'11" Jr. Forward).

"We plan to work hard to turn things around from last year. We will really need to be better at executing on offense, and must limit our opponents' offensive rebounding. Guard play will be another key area for us." The Wildcats finished just (3-22) last season, with all three wins coming in Lincoln Trail Conference play (3-8). "More than anything, we all, coaches and players, expect to make a vast improvement in our effort and performance this season."

The LTC race could be up for grabs in 2009-10, and Galva would like to play spoiler and compete at or near the top. "Lincoln Trail looks to be a wide open race. New teams in Ridgewood co-op and Mercer County consolidation will change the conference and will make it even tougher. I believe there won't be much difference in talent level amongst the ten teams in the league. It should make for an interesting season."

Clay Haurberg is entering his fifth season as head coach at Galva. He has compiled a (38-75) coaching record. The Wildcats won 12 and 14 games in Haurberg's first two seasons.

Galva is looking for it's first winning season since (2003-04), when the Wildcats finished (23-7). The last regional championship won at the school came in (2001-02). Galva has won 10 regional championships, dating back to their first (1937-38). Brad Hulick coached two of those regional title squads (1994-95 & 2001-02). He led the Wildcats to a (156-86) record in nine seasons.