Brian Ortmeier has enjoyed getting his Iowa Central women's basketball program ready for the season with a little more normalcy than last year.

Ortmeier and the Tritons begin play Monday night at home against Mount Marty JV inside Hodges Fieldhouse. They will play their first five games at home in a span of just under three weeks. 

"It's been nice getting back to having a normal fall," Ortmeier said. "But it's also been a long stretch without any games and I know the girls are ready to get out there."

In his first season at Iowa Central, Ortmeier led the Tritons to an appearance at nationals, scoring a regional title along the way. They return five key players from that rotation in Nevaeh Galloway, Autumn Dykstra, Taylor McKinney, Nevaeh Moeschter and Carley West.

Galloway led the country in blocked shots as a freshman and earned conference defensive player of the year honors. Dykstra and West were all-region selections as well. 

"Having that core group back has been big," Ortmeier said. "They know what it takes on a nightly basis and how you have to prepare for a season. Plus, they have some big goals for themselves and the team."

Galloway averaged 11.4 points, eight rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game last year, West posted 11 points, five rebounds and 2.5 assists, while Dykstra added nearly eight points. Moeschter averaged just under five and McKinney four. 

The group will be tasked with replacing the production of All-American Bell West, who is now at Murray State University.

"Losing Bell was huge for us and leaves some big shoes to fill," Ortmeier said. "But Galloway is healthy this year and I know focused on growing into an even better player. She is determined to be a good leader and has embraced that role along with the other returning sophomores."

Ortmeier also brought in a key group of freshmen to help balance out the roster. 

"We anticipate getting minutes and quality playing time out of a number of them," he said. "The biggest adjustment is always the speed of the game, so once we get them on the court and they figure that out, we'll be able to be a much deeper team this season."

Iowa Central will play several non-conference games to begin the year before diving into league action against fellow preseason Top-20 teams like Kirkwood and Iowa Western. The Tritons are 16th to start the year with Kirkwood at No. 3 and Iowa Western No. 11.

"Having that non-conference to get us ready is huge," Ortmeier said. "It gives you a chance to change some things around, mix some lineups and see what everybody brings. We didn't have that last year so I'm excited to be back to a more normal format."

Ortmeier is assisted by Sabah Dickerson. 

-By Dana Becker