Login

News

After spending recent seasons building a foundation, the Montcalm Community College women's basketball team enters the 2026-27 campaign with a roster that combines veteran experience, added size and increased depth. 

MCC head coach Scott Pedigo believes the Centurions are better equipped than ever to play at a faster pace while also establishing a stronger presence in the paint. 

"We have some freshmen that will help out," Pedigo said. "They bring size and length that we didn't have before. A lot of them can shoot and have good speed. We've worked on getting up and down the court, and that's what we focused on in our three exhibition games." 

The Centurions return six sophomores from last year's squad: 

Returning sophomores 

  • Karlie Bacon, guard (Stanton, Mich.) 

  • Baylor Syrjala, guard (Lakeview, Mich.) 

  • Kendall Stout, guard (Stanton, Mich.) 

  • Emma Rehkopf, guard (Belding, Mich.) 

  • Emma Polash, forward (Ithaca, Mich.) 

  • Mallory Miller, guard (Baldwin, Mich.; transfer from Jackson College) 

Pedigo expects the veteran group to provide leadership and stability as the team incorporates several newcomers. 

"Karlie is playing big for us, and we know what Baylor and Kendall can do," he said. "I think we have two of the better shooters in the conference." 

Syrjala said one of the team's strengths will be its blend of speed, athleticism and interior play. 

"I am very excited for this year's team with speed and size," Syrjala said. "We have many guards who can score, and we also have many posts and forwards that can help us out with scoring and rebounding, too." 

The Centurions also welcome a six-player freshman class: 

Incoming freshmen 

  • Katelyn Buchner, forward (Lakeview, Mich.) 

  • Abby Ferguson, forward (Lowell, Mich.) 

  • Isabella Mojica, guard (Wyoming, Mich.) 

  • Maddy DeSmyter, forward/center (Merrill, Mich.) 

  • Olivia Rewa, forward/center (Greenville, Mich.) 

  • Marlee Shuford, guard (Hastings, Mich.) 

Among the newcomers, DeSmyter and Rewa could have the biggest immediate impact. Both stand six feet tall, giving MCC size it has rarely possessed in recent years. 

"The first couple of years, we had problems with size," Pedigo said. "We have a couple 6-footers this year, so we can really work in the post. We can rotate steadily now, too." 

Pedigo was especially pleased to land DeSmyter after she changed her college plans. 

"DeSmyter decommitted from another school and came to us, so it was a steal for us," he said. "With our tall players and DeSmyter on board, they'll definitely give us a good presence inside like we've never had before." 

The added depth should allow MCC to play a more aggressive transition style. 

"We want to be more up and down in transition now with our depth," Pedigo said. "That's been nice for us." 

While optimism is high, Pedigo is careful not to get too far ahead of the season. 

"We're approaching it like last year," he said. "Playoffs are in everyone's eyes. We're going to look at the next game and the next play. It's too early for projected goals." 

Instead of focusing on the big picture, Pedigo is taking the approach of small goals throughout the season, having the team concentrate on smaller benchmarks. 

"We want to score over 60 points per game, limit turnovers under 10 and do better with our shooting percentage," he said. "We're taking a little different approach so we can take the pressure off them and focus on smaller goals." 

As one of the team's leaders, Syrjala believes chemistry and preparation will be critical. 

"I think the key to having a successful season is staying in shape, playing together as a team and having fun," she said. "I feel like the more fun we have, the better our energy is and the better we play." 

She also stressed the importance of understanding roles within a deeper roster. 

"Remembering plays and remembering our roles is going to be important for us this year," Syrjala said. "We have many girls that play the same position, so coming in as a sub, we will have to make sure to know where we need to be." 

Defense, she added, could determine how far the Centurions go. 

"One thing that will be key for us this year is defense," Syrjala said. "We are mainly an offensive-oriented team, so if we can play defense and keep teams from scoring a ton of points, we can win many games and be able to score like we do." 

The Centurions will be challenged early by a demanding nonconference schedule. MCC opens the season against a nationally ranked opponent and will also face Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse, CCBC Essex, Lansing Community College, Indiana Tech JV, University of Olivet JV, Muskegon Community College, Mid Michigan College and Henry Ford College before conference play begins. 

"They're ranked No. 5 in the country," Pedigo said of MCC's season-opening opponent, Owens Community College, a home tilt that begins at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31. "It'll be a good test. Our nonconference schedule is challenging." 

Pedigo believes those early tests will help prepare the Centurions for conference play and, ultimately, a postseason push. 

"We've got to keep our composure," he said. "We'll have highs and lows. We just can't get stuck in the lows. We need to sustain it." 

With experienced guards, proven shooters, an influx of size and one of the deepest rosters Pedigo has coached at MCC, the Centurions believe they have the pieces in place to take another step forward during the 2026-27 season.