SPOKANE, Wash. -- One year after knocking on the door of the NCAA Division III tournament, the Pirates kicked it in and won a Northwest Conference title to earn a spot the following season. That was 2003. Whitworth head coach Jim Hayford hopes history repeats itself in 2007 as the Pirates head into the year with high hopes of winning a conference championship and returning to the NCAA tournament.

"This team has post season aspirations, and rightfully so," said Hayford, who is 95-35 in his sixth season leading the Bucs. "We will be able to score both inside and from distance and should have the ability to dictate the pace of the game to our advantage."

Hayford will rely on a key group of seniors to lead the team this season. A veteran and talented back court of Bryan Williams (Sr., G, Spokane, Wash. - Mead), Jon Young (Sr., G, Tracy, Calif. - Tracy) and James Jones (Sr., G/F, Manchester, England - Univ. of St. Mary) will surround the post play of Kevin Hasenfus (Sr., C, Lodi, Calif. - Delta JC).

"We have good senior leadership who has produced on the court in previous seasons," said Hayford. "They have won, and know what it takes to be successful."

Young averaged 12.7 points per game and made 40% of his three pointers last season. He is Whitworth’s all-time leader in three pointers made and attempted. Williams added 10.7 points per game and led the league in assists with an average of 5.7 per game. Hasenfus tallied 11.8 points per game and led the team in rebounding average (6.9 per game). Jones, who came off of the bench last season but should gain a starting role this year, averaged 6.6 points per contest. He can play any of the three perimeter positions.

Calvin Jurich (So., C, Spokane, Wash. - University) and Steve Stockton (So., G, Spokane, Wash. - Ferris) also return for the Pirates and will provide experience off of the bench. Jurich played in 26 games and averaged 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds last winter. Stockton appeared in six games.

A solid group of newcomers, both from the junior college ranks and freshmen, will have an immediate impact.

"We have added some excellent recruits who will meet the challenge of replacing George (Tucker) and Lance (Pecht) from last season," said Hayford. "That is a tough assignment, but I feel they are up to it."

The "they" Hayford refers to are JC transfers Ryan Symes (Jr., F, Palo Alto, Calif. - Delta JC), Colin Willemsen (Jr., F, Moraga, Calif. - Diablo Valley Coll.) and Will Hardy (Spokane, Wash. - Everett CC). All three gained valuable experience during their first two seasons of junior college basketball. All three can also play any where along the front line. One will likely start and the others will play key roles off of the bench. Also joining the team as a transfer is Jerry Beverly (Jr., G, Pittsburg, Calif. - Delta JC), who could provide valuable minutes in relief of Williams.

The Pirates also welcome a solid incoming class of freshmen. Nate Montgomery (Fr., C, Sammamish, Wash. - Eastlake) and Mike Odland (Fr., C, Seattle, Wash. - Roosevelt) will provide solid depth on the inside. Karl Richardson (Fr., F, Spokane, Wash. - Northwest Christian) gives depth at small forward, while Eric Nelson (Fr., G, Chelan, Wash. - Chelan) can come off of the bench at guard.

Whitworth will open the season on Friday against Eastern (Pa.) as part of the Lee Pfund Classic hosted by Wheaton (Ill.). The Pirates will play either the host Thunder of Franklin on Saturday. The tournament begins a six-game-in-eight days stretch for Whitworth, with games at the US Bank - Whitworth Maui Invitational during Thanksgiving and two games in California the weekend of the 25th and 26th.

The Northwest Conference will be as challenging as ever. Puget Sound is a three time defending champion, while Willamette is a perennial playoff contender. Many of the teams, including Lewis & Clark, Pacific and Whitman, look to be much improved this season. The Pirates open their NWC schedule by hosting Pacific and Lewis & Clark on December 1st and 2nd.