Returning Seniors Confident in Ability Over Height

The NBA has settled its contract dispute and games are about to start, and with that, comes the start of the basketball season at . As opening day approaches, we're taking a look at each of the teams as they ready for competition. Today, we take a look at the Panthers boys’ basketball team.

OVERVIEW

The Panthers return eight players from last year’s varsity roster, four of whom were in the main starting rotation. With that many returning players, head coach Gene McAteer has high expectation for the squad. While the Panthers team members are not that big inside, they were able to use their quickness and scrappy play to overcome their height disadvantages. This year is no different, and with a tough conference schedule they will need to duplicate their defensive style.

LAST SEASON'S RESULTS

The Panthers finished their 2010-2011 season with a 15-12 record. They made it to the third round of the Somerset County Tournament where they lost to Rutgers Prep. The team qualified for the state tournament where the boys upset Franklin in the first round and lost to Piscataway in the second round.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON

Stevie Danyluk, senior guard—the 5-foot-7 Danyluk shot 49.5 percent from three-point range last year, and will be looked to for outside scoring to extend opposing teams' defenses.

Sal Vitello, senior guard—the four-year varsity player will be expected to quarterback the offense from his point guard position.

Eric Murdoch, junior guard—played limited minutes last year for the varsity squad as a sophomore, but has been playing real well in preseason and looks ready for big minutes this year at the varsity level.

THEY WILL BE MISSED

Andrew Ortelli—The former shooting guard for the Panthers is now a student manager for the University of Kentucky team.

Justin Leeds—Last year's starting forward is now playing D3 ball at Moravian.

COACH'S TAKE

"They’ve had a very mature approach to practice so far, and we have high expectations for this year and expect to improve on last year’s results.”—head coach Gene McAteer.

THEY SAID IT

This year’s team includes seven seniors, all returning varsity players, and to say they’re confident in themselves and their team is an understatement. When asked what they felt about this year’s team, they all replied, “We’re real good."—seniors Scott Bieda, Stevie Danyluk, Sean Lenahan, Joe Leotta, Rob Myers, Isiah Solomon and Sal Vitello.

2011-2012 PANTHERS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM ROSTER

No.

Name

Position

Ht

Gr

10

Scott Bieda

G

5-7

12

31

Reggie Castillo

G

5-9

11

25

Stevie Danyluk

G

5-7

12

4

Cole Gladfelter

G

5-9

11

12

Russell Hawkins

G

5-9

11

32

Sean Lenahan

C

6-3

12

15

Joe Leotta

F

6-2

12

34

Ben Miller

F

6-1

10

3

Eric Murdock

G

5-9

11

22

Rob Myers

C

6-3

12

21

Dom Pace

F

6-1

11

13

Vince Pace

G

6-0

10

1

Isiah Solomon

F

6-0

12

2

Sal Vitello

G

5-6

12

30

Greg Wolk

F

5-10

11