With all five starters back, Mulnix begins his second year with higher goals for Western
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Parma – The starting lineup is back in full force.
The coach is back for a second year on the job.
And, as he put it, “on paper,” the 2015-16 Parma Western boys basketball team has the look and feel of one that could do quite a bit this winter.
Now, Ryan Mulnix and his guys know they have to go out and do it.
“We have some guys back and familiar with one another and what we want to accomplish,” Mulnix said this week. “This is a group that wants to compete for a league title. On paper, we have the group that can do that, especially with who’s back.”
The starters back in the mix include Steele Fortress, Brennan Joseph, Austin Cooper, Hunter Page and Connor Cottingham.
Jacob Leferve also spent time in the starting five a year ago.
The team will also get a boost from transfers Mike Doss (East Jackson) and Sam Jones (Lumen Christi).
And Mulnix, no longer a rookie to the top spot with the program, expects that to be an advantage as well.
“Being my second year, I kind of know what to expect now,” he said. “We’re doing some different things this year that we’re working at.”
So while all the pieces seem to be in place, the goal is to build on and improve on an 8-13 finish from last year.
Size isn’t a great advantage the Panthers will have, so there will be an added emphasis on defense and rebounding.
And for a team that scored roughly 52 points per game last year, Mulnix also said “knocking down some shots is going to be key.”
“A lot of that has to do with getting off to better starts,” he added. “We have to be a group that plays hard, that battles, and if we do some of those things, this could be a very good year.”
It all starts at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at Portland High.
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him atmjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.