CEDAR FALLS - Brent Denning insists things have mellowed at the dinner table in recent years. Winning will do that.

The third-year NU High skipper has coached his sons, Brad and Kyle, since their days in the Iowa Baseball League, in second and third grade.

Nowadays, the elder Denning says his family's dinner conversations simply revolve around the bounty before them and not baseball.

"It used to be worse when I was younger. I've matured now," coach Denning noted, laughing. "I try to leave it at the baseball field and not bring it home. It seems to work out."

And, if this year's NU High Panthers live up to their advance billing, things should remain tranquil.

The Panthers, who tied a school record with 21 wins in 2008, return eight of nine starters - including aforementioned senior Brad Denning, a second-team all-stater who hit nearly .460 last summer.

Coach Denning was encouraged by his club's offseason work, whether it be in fall wood-bat leagues or his pitchers' extra throwing sessions with assistants.

Tanner Cooke, an all-North Iowa Cedar League selection last summer, should team with the Denning brothers to form a solid pitching staff that relies on great location and an extensive array of pitches.

At the plate, Panthers like senior first baseman Nate Smith, who struck out just twice last season, should ignite an offensive attack that carried NU all the way to the Class 1A district finals last season.

And, although 20 of his program's 22 players are currently in spring sports, Brent Denning believes his club's depth should once again take it deep into the postseason.

"A lot of the varsity kids now have played since second or third grade and have all stuck it out," noted the coach, whose team went 21-9 last year. "I think that's a big reason we're successful now."

So successful, in fact, that suppertime is especially sweet in the Denning household these days.

"You could say that," said Brad Denning. "At the dinner table, it's better when we win."

Waterloo Columbus

Spirits remain high for the Sailors, who last season qualified for the first summer state tournament in school annals.

Terry Goerdt's team returns five starting position players, including infielders Nick Maas (who hit .412 a year ago) and Casey Goerdt (.344).

However, the Sailors lost two of last year's key run-producers in Brett Watkins and Mitch Reilly. And, after recent expansion, the list of the WaMaC Conference's luminaries could stretch beyond tradition-rich clubs like Solon, West Delaware and Dyersville Beckman for the foreseeable future.

"These players got a taste of the state tournament last year," coach Goerdt nevertheless noted, and "they are hungry for more."

Waterloo West

The Wahawks return four past all-metro selections and, as a result, have high hopes in 2009.

"The team has a lot of experience," coach Jeremy Langner noted, "a strong will to succeed, and a willingness to want to perform at a high level."

Among West's recent all-metro honorees are a trio who can provide offensive fireworks in senior Max Shower (.353) and juniors Connor McClain (.397) and Jake Raecker (.374, 40 RBIs). On the mound, Collin Styron (6-3, 1.92 ERA) should stifle his share of opposing hitters.

Consistency is Langner's only concern as the summer nears.

"If we can get better every day," said Langner, "then good things will happen."

Cedar Falls

Graduation decimated Cedar Falls' pitching staff after last season, making overall depth an issue for Jack Sole's squad.

Yet, the Tigers' skipper has been impressed by his roster's resiliency so far in early season workouts.

"I'm more pleased every day with our work ethic," said Sole, who hopes to see his squad contend alongside Mississippi Valley Conference favorites Iowa City West and Dubuque Hempstead.

"We are (just) going to need some guys to step up for us on the hill."

Cedar Falls possesses a solid building block in returning all-metro pick Sean Boss, a junior who hit .333 with three homers in 2008.

Waterloo East

Cory Goldsmith's second season at the helm of Waterloo East's baseball program will start with a search for hurlers who can handle the rigors of life in the MVC.

"We're going to be a fairly young team," noted Goldsmith. "We do not have very many pitchers with varsity pitching experience."

The Trojans also saw last year's top offensive star, outfielder Ruben Muniz (.400), depart via the cap-and-gown-route.

However, East possesses seven returning letterwinners. And, Goldsmith is confident that effort won't be in short supply in his dugout.

"I anticipate that we'll work extremely hard," the Trojan coach noted, "and compete in every game."

Capsules

CEDAR FALLS TIGERS

HEAD COACH - Jack Sole

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (6) - Sean Boss, Andrew Wirth, Brian Goodwin, Taylor Miller, Joe Clark, Jeff Conrad

Schedule

May 25-26 - at Metro Tournament, Riverfront Stadium, TBD

May 27 - at Charles City Classic, 7:30 p.m.

May 29 - at Charles City Classic, TBD

June 2 - Linn-Mar (DH), 5 p.m.

June 3 - at Waverly-Shell Rock, 5:30 p.m.

June 6 - at Mason City, 3 p.m.

June 8 - at Dubuque Wahlert (DH), 4 p.m.

June 10 - Charles City, 5 p.m.

June 11 - at Waterloo West, 5 p.m.

June 12 - Waterloo West, 5 p.m.

June 15 - at Iowa City High (DH), 5 p.m.

June 19 - Cedar Rapids Jefferson (DH), 5 p.m.

June 22 - Dubuque Senior (DH), 5 p.m.

June 24 - at Waterloo Columbus, 3:30 p.m.

June 25 - Waterloo East, 5 p.m.

June 26 - at Waterloo East, 5 p.m.

June 29 - at Ced. Rapids Washington (DH), 5 p.m.

July 1 - at Cedar Rapids Prairie (DH), 5 p.m.

July 3 - Dubuque Hempstead (DH), 5 p.m.

July 6 - at Cedar Rapids Xavier (DH), 5 p.m.

July 9 - at Mason City Newman, 5:30 p.m.

July 10 - Iowa City West (DH), 5 p.m.

July 13 - Independence (DH), 5 p.m.

NU HIGH PANTHERS

HEAD COACH - Brent Denning

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (8) - Nate Smith, sr.; Brad Denning, sr.; Tanner Cooke, jr.; Johnny Hines, jr.; Kyle Denning, soph.; Terry Nielsen, soph.; Andrew Stone, soph.; Alex Quinones, soph.

Schedule

May 26 - Janesville, 4 p.m.

May 27 - Springville (DH), 4 p.m.

May 28 - at Glad.-Reinbeck (Reinbeck), 5:30 p.m.

May 30 - at Waterloo East (DH), 3:30 p.m.

June 1 - at Jesup, 5:30 p.m.

June 2 - Dike-New Hartford, 4 p.m.

June 4 - Wapsie Valley, 4 p.m.

June 8 - at Aplington-Parkersburg, 5:30 p.m.

June 9 - Hudson, 4 p.m.

June 11 - Denver, 4 p.m.

June 13 - at S. Hardin Classic (Eldora), 10 a.m.

June 15 - at Union (La Porte City), 5:30 p.m.

June 16 - Jesup, 4 p.m.

June 17 - Independence (DH), 4 p.m.

June 18 - at Dike-New Hartford, 4 p.m.

June 20 - at Glad.-Rein. Inv. (Reinbeck), 10 a.m.

June 22 - at Wapsie Valley, 4 p.m.

June 23 - Aplington-Parkersburg, 4 p.m.

June 25 - at Hudson, 4 p.m.

June 27 - NU High Classic, 10 a.m.

June 30 - at Denver, 5:30 p.m.

July 1 - at Waverly-Shell Rock (DH), 5:30 p.m.

July 2 - Union, 4 p.m.

July 6 - BCLUW of Conrad, 4 p.m.

July 7 - South Hardin, 4 p.m.

July 8 - North Butler (DH), 4 p.m.

July 11-14 - at districts, TBD

July 21 - at substate, TBD

July 24 - at State tournament, Des Moines

WATERLOO COLUMBUS SAILORS

HEAD COACH - Terry Goerdt

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (8) - Nick Maas, Gabe Drewelow, Casey Goerdt, Skylar Kemp, Ty Schmit, Kyle Henninger, Taylor Ingles, Michael Goerdt.

Schedule

May 25-26 - at Metro Tournament, Riverfront Stadium, TBD

May 28 - at Mount Vernon (DH), 5:30 p.m.

May 30 - at New Hampton Tournament, 10 a.m.

June 1 - at Williamsburg (DH), 5:30 p.m.

June 3 - Union (La Porte City), 3:30 p.m.

June 4 - vs. W. Dubuque, at Cedar Rapids' Vets Stadium, 3:30 p.m.

June 8 - Benton Community (DH), 3:30 p.m.

June 10 - at Anamosa (DH), 5:30 p.m.

June 11 - Maquoketa (DH), 3:30 p.m.

June 13-14 - at W.D.M.Dowling Tournament, TBD

June 15 - at Independence (DH), 5:30 p.m.

June 17 - at Waterloo East, 3:30 p.m.

June 22 - Clear Creek-Amana (DH), 3:30 p.m.

June 23 - at Decorah, 5:30 p.m.

June 24 - Cedar Falls, 3:30 p.m.

June 25 - at DeWitt Central (DH), 5:30 p.m.

June 26 - Waverly-Shell Rock, 3:30 p.m.

June 29 - at Vinton-Shellsburg (DH), 5:30 p.m.

June 30 - at West Delaware (DH), 5:30 p.m.

July 2 - Solon (DH), 3:30 p.m.

July 6 - at Center Point-Urbana (DH), 5:30 p.m.

July 7 - at Waterloo West, 5:30 p.m.

July 9 - Dyersville Beckman, 3:30 p.m.

WATERLOO EAST TROJANS

HEAD COACH - Cory Goldsmith

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (7) - Andy Hoffman, sr.; Josh Edgar, sr.; Corey Erickson, sr.; Tyler Loftus, sr.; Justin Koweil, sr.; Colton Rathe, soph.; Gaige Frank, jr.

Schedule

May 25-26 - at Metro Tournament, Riverfront Stadium, TBD

May 30 - NU High, 3:30 p.m.

June 1 - at Cedar Rapids Prairie (DH), 5 p.m.

June 4 - Waterloo West, 5:30 p.m.

June 5 - at Waterloo West, 7 p.m.

June 8 - at Dubuque Senior, 3:30 p.m.

June 10 - at Decorah, 5:30 p.m.

June 12 - Iowa City High, 3:30 p.m.

June 13 - at Waverly-Shell Rock, 10 a.m.

June 15 - Cedar Rapids Xavier, 3:30 p.m.

June 17 - Waterloo Columbus, 3:30 p.m.

June 19 - at Cedar Rapids Kennedy, TBD

June 22 - at Dubuque Hempstead, 3:30 p.m.

June 24 - Mason City, TBD

June 25 - at Cedar Falls, 5:30 p.m.

June 26 - Cedar Falls, 5:30 p.m.

June 29 - Linn-Mar, 3:30 p.m.

July 1 - at Iowa City West, TBD

July 3 - Dubuque Wahlert, 3:30 p.m.

July 6 - Cedar Rapids Washington, 3:30 p.m.

July 10 - at Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 5 p.m.

WATERLOO WEST WAHAWKS

HEAD COACH - Jeremy Langner

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (4) - Max Shower, sr.; Collin Styron, sr.; Connor McClain, jr.; Jake Raecker, jr.

Schedule

May 25-26 - at Metro Tournament, Riverfront Stadium, TBD

May 29 - Waverly-Shell Rock, 5 p.m.

May 30 - at Ames (DH), 11 a.m.

June 1 - Iowa City West, 5 p.m.

June 4 - at Waterloo East, 3:30 p.m.

June 5 - at Waterloo East, 5 p.m.

June 8 - Dubuque Hempstead, 5 p.m.

June 10 - Mason City (DH), 4 p.m.

June 11 - Cedar Falls, 5 p.m.

June 12 - at Cedar Falls, 5 p.m.

June 13 - at Charles City Tournament, TBD

June 15 - Cedar Rapids Prairie, 5 p.m.

June 19 - at Cedar Rapids Xavier, 5 p.m.

June 20 - Wahawk Tournament, 10 a.m.

June 22 - Dubuque Wahlert, 5 p.m.

June 24 - West Delaware, 5:30 p.m.

June 26 - at Iowa City High, 5 p.m.

June 29 - Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 5 p.m.

July 1 - at Cedar Rapids Washington, 5 p.m.

July 3 - at Dubuque Senior, 1 p.m.

July 6 - at Linn-Mar, 5 p.m.

July 7 - Waterloo Columbus, 5:30 p.m.

July 10 - Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 5 p.m.

July 14 - Decorah, 5:30 p.m.

July 17 - Substate, TBD

July 24-Aug. 1 - State tournament, Des Moines