As the sun sets on fall sports, it is only the dawn of the upcoming basketball season for the Spartans. While on paper it looks as though the PV boys’ basketball team will struggle, having graduated lots of talent last year, the team argues that they are going to surprise a few teams this year.
A new era calls for new leaders. Senior Jacob Parker has confidence in himself and the team this year. “I think we are more than capable of competing for a MAC (Mississippi Athletic Conference) championship. Personally I am looking forward to stepping into a leadership role,” he said.
Following last year’s season, PV graduated pivotal members Carter Duwa and Hunter Snyder, who were awarded first and second all-conference team. In total, PV lost over 70 percent of their scoring from last season. With their absence, PV has big shoes to fill in for the upcoming season.
With only five seniors this year, some of these roles in the team will have to be filled by rising juniors and underclassmen. Junior Jacob Townsend stated that new guys will be up for the challenge and will step into the spotlight this year. “Ryan (Dolphin) and I both hope to expand into bigger roles this year. Matt (Mickle) and CJ (Ragins) are also juniors who will provide some minutes for the team,” he said.
The PV basketball team hasn’t been to the state tournament since the 2015-2016 season, with the succesful standout Will Carius. The team has had trouble finding their way back to the state tournament, let alone a substate final, since Carius was a student at PV. Hoping to change that this season is Parker, with support of his young teammates. “(Making it to state) is the endgame. That’s the goal in everyone’s mind this year,” he said.
PV will be looking to get their season off to a fast start against Burlington at home on Dec. 3, their first game against Burlington since leaving the MAC last year. However, it is not until Dec. 10, when conference play begins, that PV will host rival North Scott.
The basketball season is a long and gruesome one that puts a team’s capabilities to the test. Parker and Townsend both have trust in their coaches and teammates, and are shooting for a chance to get back to the state tournament this season.
