Kent Faurote is a solid Division III player -- take it to the bank. Edgewood athletics photo by Todd K. Olsen

Kent Faurote can play a mean game of hoops and also help you balance your bank account.

The Edgewood senior has a busy schedule, part of it sharing the scoring lead for his team at 15.4 points a game. He also works full-time at a local bank during the day and takes night classes to work on his MBA after graduating from Edgewood last year. Faurote had one year of eligibility after last year after suffering an earlier medical hardship and is helping Edgewood to a 14-3 overall record and 8-1 in the Northern Athletic Conference — good for first place.

"He's very driven, detail-oriented, and most likely will get straight A's. Just a great kid," Edgewood coach Todd Adrian said. "One of most friendly personable guys you'll ever meet. He comes from a family where if you want something bad enough you've got to work for it. He'll be a good booster and manage my money. He'll do really good things in the future."

 The other scoring leader, also a senior, is Ben Wisnewski, the all time 3-point leader in school history in made triples.

"He came in as a 3-point shooter, a guy that could come in and probably produce right away," Adrian said. "He came in and pretty much played from day one and has been consistent. He developed into a scorer, not just a shooter. He always comes back better from the offseason. He's one of the most consistent guys we've had night in and night out."

The other top two scorers in Derek Nkemnji and Cashton Craig are local Madison grown talents. Craig sports 10.1 points a clip and Nkemnji adds 9.1.

"Derek came in as a defender and really has worked his tail off," Adrian said. "Cashton, he was a scoring guard and transferred to point guard. It actually works out well. I like scoring point guards, been one of nicest kids to a fault, In some games he's carried us when Ben and Kent have been off."

After starting the season with a 9-0 mark, the Eagles are 5-3 since, but have won their last four games. Edgewood had has several lineup changes and Adrian said he has been thrilled with the way his team has persevered and looks for his team to stay in the hunt for the conference crown at the end of the year.

"Like (football) coach (Bret) Bielema at Wisconsin says 'It's the next man in,'" Adrian said. "It's made us a better team. Guys are stepping up and it'll put us in a better position down the stretch. Getting into the conference tournament was always the goal. This group is very determined to win the last game of regular season. That's been our goal and it hasn't changed."

Oles turning the corner

Mackenzie Wolter provides some much-needed scoring for a St. Olaf team with only two players averaging 30 minutes per game. Carleton athletics photo by Eric Sieger

Even with no seniors in his top 12, Dave Stromme's St. Olaf team is looking towards a banner year. The Oles are 12-4 overall and 9-4 in the MIAC. With one more win, the Oles could eclipse last year's win total as St. Olaf finished 13-12 last year. The Oles were 18-57 in the three previous campaigns.

"We're pleased each and every time we cross one ofthose we've-never-done type moments off our plate," Stromme said. "We've beaten some teams haven't beaten in the past, teams hadn't had a lot of success against. When we play well and do all the little things do on consistent basis, we're competitive with just about anyone when we do those things. When we don't, anyone can beat us."

The Oles are led by junior Mackenzie Wolter, who leads her team with 13.8 points per game, sophomore center Elise Raney adds 10.7 points a game and junior guard Kirstee Roty contributes 10.6 each game. The Oles breakdown is five juniors, four sophomores and three seniors. The juniors are part of the Oles first recruiting class where Stromme said they took their lumps at the beginning.

"Hopefully we're starting to learn what it takes to win in our league, which is a very competitive one," Stromme said. "The core of four to five juniors been through thick and thin."

The upcoming schedule for the Oles becomes crucial as they hope to play their way into the conference tournament.

"We're facing a string of games against last year's playoff teams – this is kind of unchartered territory," Stromme said. "There's a lot of road yet, with playoff caliber kind of teams. We have to make sure we're ready for every possession in each of those big games. There are six teams in the league that qualify out of 12, each and every game is very important.

"The playoff atmosphere has in essence already started."