2008-2009 Ellsworth Panthers Season Outlook

The Panthers are looking to improve on a 20-11 record as they return 6 players from last year's team, which includes 70% of scoring and rebounding. When you take a solid nucleus of sophomores and mix in another very good recruiting class, what you get is a team that can score in a number of different ways. If you take a look you at the size and quickness of this year's team, one can understand Coach Muilenburg's enthusiasm about his 2008-2009 Panthers. "We have some players that logged a lot of minutes last year, and we will have to rely on them early until our new guys can make the transition," Muilenburg said. "How soon we become a good basketball team will depend upon how quickly our new players make adjustments to our system, their teammates, and to college basketball."

Backcourt

The Panthers have brought in some additional playmakers to give some added depth to the ECC backcourt. Mike Candelaria returns at point guard while, L.C. Doss will be back after sitting out last year with a knee injury suffered in the second game of the season. Incoming freshmen Vontrell Seroyer (Milwaukee, WI), Richie Walker (Chicago, IL), and Turrell Foster (Iowa Falls, IA), will add some depth at the point guard position. Then you add shooting guards Brad Starken (Muskego, WI), Tut Jikany (Des Moines, IA), and Thabil Gach (Mankato, MN) and you are looking at the makings of a pretty good backcourt. With this in mind they should have no problem picking up the pressure as we move into a new season of Panther basketball.

Frontcourt

The Panthers certainly will not be lacking size this year as they return starters 6' 6" Nick Wagner and 6'6" Tony Lewis, a 3rd team All-American last year. Also 6'7" sophomore Damon Smith and 6'7" redshirt freshman Nathan Muench both give the Panthers some additional size in the frontcourt. Then you add incoming freshmen John Wolfe, who at 6'10", 270 pounds will be a factor in the middle for the Panthers. As well as 6'6" Cornelius Mosby (Chicago, IL), who will bring additional size and quickness to an already strong frontline.

Head Coach: Troy Muilenburg
Phone: (641) 648-8693 or toll-free 1-800-322-9235, Ext. 8693
E-mail: Troy.Muilenburg@iavalley.edu