HAMMOND - There's a new nickname, yes, but a similar attitude as last winter.

Purdue Calumet, now referred to as the Peregrines, did some squawking in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

This year, they're aiming even higher for coach Gary Hayes, using three key players from an impressive 19-win season.

Marquice Woods, Robert Hoskins and Neal Sinclair should power PUC to prominence in the CCAC. Woods and Hoskins are returning from all-conference seasons, while Sinclair is a good compliment to Hoskins in the backcourt.

Woods is looking to lead the league in rebounding for the fourth straight year and once again lead the NAIA in that category.

"Marquice has a knack for it," Hayes said. "He's only 6-foot-5, but he can grab rebounds, especially on the offensive end. He's tenacious. Not many guys today are like that."

Hayes is equally thrilled with his latest recruiting class, which includes former Highland center Kevin Thomas, a 6-foot-8 post who will allow Woods to play power forward. Another freshman, Steve Polak (Clark) could see significant minutes in the backcourt, giving Hoskins and Sinclair a break.

Hayes also got a transfer from St. Xavier, Cerron Pritchett (6-5, 250), who should help on the blocks once eligible. Also look for Thomas Moseley, an athletic swingman who hasn't played in four years, to contribute quickly.

"Our problem normally is depth, because we play just about the toughest schedule in the conference," Hayes said. "But, we've got a little better balance this year."

Not to mention the nickname.

Women rebuilding

It will take awhile to find out exactly how good the Purdue Cal women will be.

Possibly even January or later. Head coach Dennis Smith lost a lot from last season's Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Division I championship team. There are 10 new faces, and Smith expects some growing pains during the first half of a difficult schedule.

"We're just trying to keep up with where we left off," Smith said of last season's impressive 29-9 record. "But it's going to take some time to mesh at that level - especially with five true freshmen."

Leading the way are three senior guards; La'Sharon Watson, Lisa Cowper and Jenny Sullivan. The trio brings experience to the talented, unproven ranks of new faces playing beside them this season.

So does junior post player Nikki Borys, who averaged 9.3 points per game last season. Borys is the Peregrines' leading returning scorer.

Among the freshmen, three locals stand out. Krystal Rigoni (Portage) is a 5-foot-10 forward, Linsey Smith (Lake Central) is a 5-foot-10 guard/forward and Marian Smith (Hammond) is a 5-foot-11 freshman center.

The Peregrines also added Stephanie Peacock (Rockford Boylan), a 6-foot post player.

"Height-wise and athletic ability, we're a little better," coach Smith said. "But, we're still young. We're hoping to get off to a good start and keep their confidence up. They know the season doesn't really start until January, when conference play starts."