With three returning starters and a core of experienced players, the Mehlville Panthers are looking to improve upon a 11-16 finish a year ago.
“Our ultimate goal is to compete for a district championship,” Mehlville head coach Daniel Braun said. “We are focused on getting better each day and staying present in the moment. We can’t win a district championship in November, but we are focused on stacking wins each day to reach that ultimate goal down the road.”
Seniors Marcus Jacobs and Brady Sights return as starters along with junior Jordan Hannam-Lewis.
Seniors Allen Kujundzic and Cooper Reik also return for the Panthers.
“Allen Kujundzic finished last season very strong and improved a lot over the off season” Braun said. “Cooper Reik has had a great couple weeks of practice and is a true leader on and off the court.”
After a few weeks of practice in the books, Braun has liked what he has seen from his squad.
“Our compete level is very high,” he said. “Players are going at each other, battling for minutes and pushing each other to improve our team.”
Braun said his squad has been working hard to improve defensively, as well as shooting on the offensive side of the ball.
“To be successful this season, our strength will have to be on the defensive end,” he said. “We are working each day to improve in that area. Offensively, our ability to shoot the ball from the outside looks to be improved from last year.”
With 20 players who could see varsity time, Braun said that everyone is working hard to separate themselves from each other.
“Including our JV group, we are about 20 players deep that our coaching staff feels comfortable playing varsity minutes,” Braun said. “Our rotation is going to need to whittle down at some point and players have to separate themselves from others in practice.”
The Panthers faced Oakville on Dec. 2 in the first round of the annual Southside Classic tournament to open the 2024-25 season. The Panthers lost to the Tigers 72-49.
The rivals will play again on Feb. 14 for a regular season game.
Braun said his team is focused on the new season and is not looking back, only forward.
“We open(ed) our season with the Southside Classic which is a great collection of talent in our area,” Braun said. “Last season is gone. We have a lot of new faces looking to contribute so we can’t think about the results from a year ago.”
