Panthers to go 'Above the Rim' in 2009-2010
By: Autumn Jones
Issue date: 2/2/10 Section: Sports
After a solid 2008-2009 performance for CAU's Men's and Women's Basketball teams, the Panthers are looking to make this season even more successful.
"We are trying to go all the way and win the conference," junior starting guard, Julius Sudds said.
The stakes are high for the Panthers coming off of a 15-14 season. They welcome a 15-man squad of six seniors, five juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen. The team has a heap of experience, bringing in a solid front court and welcoming back key guards Sudds, Irvin Johnson and Najee Lane.
Although the Panthers lost two of the team's leading scorers, Garry Beverley and Kevin Johnson, the season still looks promising with NCAA Division II standout Lane, who averaged 13.8 points a game last season. If Lane plays smart and strong, the Panthers have a shot at the 2010 SIAC Championship.
The Panthers also lost tremendous help on defense in losing Beverley, who led the team with 2.1 blocks per game and ranked 36th in the conference for blocked shots. However they welcome forward/centers Lawrence Williams and Johnathan Belt to lead the defense.
With the loss of guard Paul Nickerson, who lead the team with 2.7, assists per game, the Panthers will look for Kenneth Hunter to step up and make huge contributions in the back court throughout the season.
"I'm challenging myself to lead and put everyone in position to make plays," Hunter said.
The Lady Panthers, who went 26-5 last season, will be looking to continue their Conference and National run. With the loss of the NCAA's Division II fourth-leading scorer Shantrell Moss (24.2 points) and key players
Danielle Walker and Karla Westmore, they will rely heavily on senior guard Jessika Wright to lead a 13-men roster consisting of seven freshmen.
"We are trying to go all the way and win the conference," junior starting guard, Julius Sudds said.
The stakes are high for the Panthers coming off of a 15-14 season. They welcome a 15-man squad of six seniors, five juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen. The team has a heap of experience, bringing in a solid front court and welcoming back key guards Sudds, Irvin Johnson and Najee Lane.
Although the Panthers lost two of the team's leading scorers, Garry Beverley and Kevin Johnson, the season still looks promising with NCAA Division II standout Lane, who averaged 13.8 points a game last season. If Lane plays smart and strong, the Panthers have a shot at the 2010 SIAC Championship.
The Panthers also lost tremendous help on defense in losing Beverley, who led the team with 2.1 blocks per game and ranked 36th in the conference for blocked shots. However they welcome forward/centers Lawrence Williams and Johnathan Belt to lead the defense.
With the loss of guard Paul Nickerson, who lead the team with 2.7, assists per game, the Panthers will look for Kenneth Hunter to step up and make huge contributions in the back court throughout the season.
"I'm challenging myself to lead and put everyone in position to make plays," Hunter said.
The Lady Panthers, who went 26-5 last season, will be looking to continue their Conference and National run. With the loss of the NCAA's Division II fourth-leading scorer Shantrell Moss (24.2 points) and key players
Danielle Walker and Karla Westmore, they will rely heavily on senior guard Jessika Wright to lead a 13-men roster consisting of seven freshmen.
