IRON RIVER — After a successful 2018-19 season, the West Iron County girls basketball team returns four seniors from a team that went 17-2 in the regular season and finished 19-3, losing to Westwood in a regional semifinals, 50-46.

“We lost six seniors to graduation including Colbi Laturi and Katarina Serbentas who were four-year starters,” said head coach Eric Shamion. “We return seniors Anna Malmquist, Emily Nelson, and Mya Grubbs who played some great minutes for us last year.”

Nelson averaged double-double numbers last season with 11.4 points and 10 rebounds per game. Malmquist added 8.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

Nelson has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Michigan Tech beginning next season.

Juniors on this year’s roster are Tori Bociek, Jordan Shamion, Livea Mazurek, Zoe Kolenda, Avery Bociek, and McKenna Kegley, along with sophomore Aurora Dahl.

Senior Eden Gollliher, who recently signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Minnesota-Crookston, is out this year with an ACL injury. She carried averages of 15.2 points and nine rebounds per contest.

“We will miss her,” Shamion said. “She was a Dream Team selection last year and we could always count on her steady play.

“Our seniors this year are definitely our leaders, we will need to help our juniors figure out how to mesh everyone together to play as one unit. We have talent and athleticism but it may take us a few games to get our team chemistry to the level it needs to be.”

Shamion also noted that he hopes the strong schedule the Wykons have helps prepare them for tournament time. WIC begins their season tonight when they travel to Hancock for a West PAC conference matchup. The Wykons home opener is Friday night when they host non-conference foe Escanaba.

Eric Ghiggia returns to the bench as JV coach for this season.

“Coach Ghiggia, the girls and I are looking forward to getting the season started.” said Shamion.