HAMMOND | Whether it was molding young players into a team, watching the wins pile up after all the hard work or just enjoying his time in the gym, Tom Megyesi couldn't go without it.

After a 24-year run (1982-2006) at the helm of a Lake Central girls basketball team that had its share of success with a 1994 state championship and 11 sectional championships, one would think that after his retirement he would look forward to the day when he could put his feet up and relax.

Not so much.

With a full-time coaching position available at Purdue Calumet in March of 2007, the lifelong coach jumped at the opportunity.

"I wasn't ready to stop coaching when I retired from Lake Central," Megyesi said. "I really enjoy coaching the game and it's been part of my life for so long, I couldn't go without it."

While the rigors of recruiting and scouting into Illinois, Michigan and all over the state are something of a change to him, he still enjoys the process.

He has overseen a women's program that has improved its win total from seven to 12 wins in his two seasons and continues its rise while bringing in top-flight recruits. Those playmakers include Merrillville's Tierra Turner, who averaged 17 points per game her senior season, along with Plymouth's Alex Starr, who took home a Class 3A state championship in her final prep season.

"It's been a learning experience from me and I think I've adjusted well the past two years and hopefully we will continue to improve," Megyesi said.

The adjustment from the high school game to college, where Purdue Calumet competes at the NAIA Division II level, is something he has taken in stride.

"It's a really up-tempo game and highly skilled game at the NAIA level, and I was really impressed by that and really surprised by that," Megyesi said. "There are some really good basketball players out there."

His players have taken notice of Megyesi as well.

"(Purdue Calumet) needed a coach like him because of the hard work and dedication he puts in," said junior guard Jennifer Britton, who also played for Megyesi at Lake Central. "He just loves the game and we see this every day in practices and games."

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL | PURDUE CALUMET PREVIEW

Scouting the 2009-10 Purdue Calumet women's basketball team

Who's back: Four starters return for a team that improved its win total by five games last season. Post player Sara Keilman (Morton), point guard Meme Harris (Merrillville), guard Jennifer Britton (Lake Central) and Stephaine Beck should help continue the program's ascent.

Who's new: Tierra Turner, a 5-foot-7 guard/forward from Merrillville, will headline the incoming class. Turner averaged 17 ppg in her senior season at Merrillville and will only add more punch to a potent offense.

Outlook: A guard-oriented team that led the Chicago Collegiate Athletic Conference with 75.2 points per game should have no problems filling it up and improving on a 12-win season. In order to reach the next level, however, the defensive effort that allowed 80 ppg last season will need to improve vastly. -- Ryan Metz

Roster

No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Hometown

10 Alex Starr Fr. G 5-8 Plymouth

11 Jennifer Britton Jr. G 5-5 St. John

12 Meme Harris Jr. G 5-4 Merrillville

13 Krystal Coleman So. G 5-7 St. John

20 Nicci Desimone So. G 5-7 Elkhart

21 Stephaine Beck So. G 5-7 Mishawaka

23 Amanda Gaskin Fr F/C 5-10 Pendleton Hts.

24 Tierra Turner Fr. G 5-8 Merrillville

30 Savannah Hauter Fr. F 5-9 St. John

31 Alyssa Trinidad Fr. G 5-4 Hobart

32 Sara Keilman Sr C 6-0 Hammond

34 Natalie Sovich Fr. F 5-8 Hobart

50 Samekia Coaxum Fr. C 6-0 Stonewall, La.

Schedule

November

5 vs. Michigan Dearborn 7 p.m.

7 vs. Spring Arbor 2 p.m.

13 at Damen 6:30 p.m.

14 at Notre Dame (Ohio) 1 p.m.

17 at Bethel 6 p.m.

21 vs. St. Xavier 1 p.m.

24 vs. IU South Bend 5 p.m.

28 at Holy Cross 11 a.m.

December

2 at Davenport 6:30 p.m.

5 vs. Calvin 5 p.m.

8 at Olivet Nazarene 7 p.m.

12 vs. Goshen 1 p.m.

19 at Siena Heights 11 a.m.

29 vs. Mount Mercy 4 p.m.

January

6 vs. Trinity International* 5 p.m.

9 at Trinity Christian* 1 p.m.

13 at Judson* 5:30 p.m.

16 vs. Holy Cross 1 p.m.

19 at IU Northwest 7 p.m.

23 at Cardinal Stritch* 2 p.m.

27 vs. Trinity International* 5:30 p.m.

30 at Trinity International* 5:30 p.m.

February

3 vs. Trinity Christian* 5 p.m.

6 vs. Judson* 1 p.m.

10 at IU South Bend 6 p.m.

17 vs. Cardinal Stritch* 5 p.m.

20 at Calumet College* 1 p.m.

* -- Denotes CCAC Game