ARCATA – When the Humboldt State Lumberjacks take the floor for the first regular season game Friday, it's likely their opponents representing Dominican University won't quite know what to expect. In fact, HSU head coach Steve Kinder may still be in the process of figuring out his Lumberjacks.

Not many familiar faces remain on the Humboldt State roster, unless, of course, you've been following Humboldt-Del Norte League high school basketball. Making the Jacks a tough scout for any opposing team is a starting unit  that includes two Arcata High graduates, with three former McKinleyville HS stars coming off the bench. 

Most of those locals are being pressed into action earlier and more prominently than originally expected after a rash of injuries left the Lumberjacks lean in several positions. The list of wounded and unavailable players includes three returning starters – guard Austin Bryan, forward Rocky Brown and center Brett McConnell.

Recognizable or not, Kinder's new-look Lumberjacks tip off the 2013-14 season against the host Penguins at 7:30 p.m. in the second game of the CCAA/PacWest Challenge. They'll complete the two-day tourney on Saturday, taking on Academy of Art at 5:30 p.m.

Track the Jacks
HSU's games at the CCAA/PacWest Challenge can be followed through a variety of mediums, including game tracker statistics, streaming video, and audio available through the airwaves and online. Click on the following links to access those options:

Radio: KATA 1340 AM, http://socialstreamingplayer.crystalmedianetworks.com/radio/kataam

Video and Live Stats: www.dominicanathletics.com/live

Tickets
Ticketing information is available at http://www.dominicanathletics.com/sports/2013/7/10/GEN_0710131632.aspx?tab=tickets

Probable Starters
Humboldt State
#10 Jordan Mackie, 6-6, 190, Jr., G, Los Angeles
#15 Brandon Pomrehn, 6-8, 230, Jr., C, Arcata
#22 Will Taylor, 6-4, 220, Fr., G, Arcata
#25 Allan Guei, 5-9, 163, Jr., G, Los Angeles
#32 David Howard, 6-7, 230, Jr., F, Chicago

Dominican University
#21 Myles Carrillo, 6-0, 175, Sr., G, Tustin
#23 Josh Ramirez, 6-6, 200, Fr., G, Chino
#30 Matt Hayes, 6-2, 200, So., G, Yuba City
#34 Devin Golston, 6-6, 215, Sr., F, Cerritos
#43 Connor Haysbert, 6-8, 230, Sr., C, Sacramento

Academy of Art
#3 Alex Carmon, 6-3, 195, So., G, Long Beach
#5 Aaron Anderson, 6-1, 180, Jr., G, San Francisco
#33 Rodrigo Maza, 6-10, 210, Sr., F, Dijon, France
#40 Aaron Aikman, 6-8, 195, Gr., F, Tucson, Ariz.
#22 Niles Smith, 6-7, 225, So., F, South San Francisco

Lumberjack Notes
Two exhibition games against superior opponents have provided plenty of opportunities to analyze the Lumberjacks' readiness to start the season. "Playing two NCAA Division I powerhouse programs (Cal and St. John's) has been beneficial to our preparation," Kinder said. "Our weaknesses have been exposed. We'll concentrate on those areas and move forward in fixing our blemishes." …What's probable about HSU's projected starting lineup is that it will be different from that which opened against Cal and St. John's. Kinder plans to adjust the group based on what he observed in the exhibition games. "Personnel changes in our lineup are likely," Kinder said. "We'll look for the group that is refocused and polished, both offensively and defensively." …Allan Guei, the Jacks' junior transfer from Cal State Northridge, assumed the point guard position with mixed results in the exhibition contests. In the game against Cal, Guei showcased his scoring and passing ability, leading the Jacks with 15 points and eight assists. Against St. John's, his success was more subdued, limited to three points and no assists. …Jordan Mackie, another newcomer with Division I experience (University of San Diego), scored 14 points in the opener, hitting 4-10 from 3-point range. His numbers dropped in the second game, including success on only one of 10 tries from beyond the arc. …David Howard returns to the Lumberjacks following a three-year hiatus from the program. The junior out of Army-Navy Academy in Carlsbad last played for the Jacks during the 2009-10 season, averaging 2.5 points and 1.3 rebounds while seeing court time in 20 games. …HSU's roster is laden with locals, with five players formerly suiting up for H-DN League schools. Senior Chris Pender, junior Dylan Ingersoll and freshman Parker Farris all prepped at McKinleyville HS, while Brandon Pomrehn and Will Taylor both attended Arcata HS. One other time in recent history the Jacks also listed five players from surrounding communities. In 1994, HSU's roster included Scott Betts (Fortuna HS), Scott Mather (McKinleyville HS), Rick Mayhew (South Fork HS), Beni Comma (South Fork HS) and Vince Zinselmeir (Southern Trinity HS).

Dominican University Notes
In its lone exhibition game, four player scored in double digits Dominican University in a 91-67 loss to Fresno State. Senior center Connor Haysbert led Dominican with 16 points. He was followed by Devin Golston's 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Dominique Taplin added 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds and senior guard Myles Carrillo added 11 points. …Three starters return from last year's Penguins, who posted a 16-11 overall record and 12-6 mark good for fourth place in the PacWest Conference. Golston, Taplin earned all-league honors a year ago. …Haysbert also saw significant court time, playing in 20 games and starting four in 2012-13.

Academy of Art Notes
The Urban Knights hope to improve upon their 9-16 overall record and 7-11 league mark posted in 2012-13. … Academy of Art returns reigning PacWest Freshman of the Year Alex Carmon, who averaged 14.8 points per game, including seven games with 20+ points. Also coming back is junior Aaron Anderson, who averaged 7.5 ppg. … Rodrigo Maza, a 6-10 senior, and Aaron Aikman, a 6-8 graduate student, give the Penguins good size in the post.

Kinder's Comments
"We learned a lot playing Cal and St. John's, two top notch opponents." … "We're going to try to get a lot done in practice Thursday. This will end a long, 11-day roadtrip, and we'll direct our efforts to refueling our energy levels."