17吃瓜

The 17吃瓜 Men鈥檚 Basketball Panthers accomplished many firsts in 2021鈥�22 under Darrell Glenn鈥檚 leadership. The team finished with their best record in five years, fielded an all-star, and earned a playoff spot, then went on to play in the AUS conference finals.

Ultimately, they did not come away with a championship, but this year they are looking to close the deal and bring a title back to Charlottetown for the first time in 20 years.

鈥淲e can鈥檛 get caught up on the fact that we had a good tournament because that鈥檚 all it was: a good tournament. For three games, we played very well,鈥� Glenn said.

While pleased with the team鈥檚 progress, Glenn expects more than the 7-7 record they finished with last season and acknowledges there is plenty of work ahead of them. The message during training camp has been about consistency and building winning habits each time they鈥檙e on the court.

鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 really about trying to improve every day. Can we have a consistent season where we鈥檙e playing at a high level on both ends of the floor every night? That鈥檚 the next jump for us.鈥�

That same mentality needs to come from team leaders, including all-Canadian point guard Elijah Miller. Where he goes, the team will follow.

鈥淗e鈥檚 our anchor, and if we鈥檙e going to be successful this year, it鈥檚 because he will lead us on both ends of the floor,鈥� Glenn said. 鈥淚鈥檓 trying to encourage Elijah to grow as a leader. One of the hardest things to do as a player is to be the best you can be every day, and the greats all do that.鈥�

The message seems to be getting across to Miller, who believes this team has what it takes to come away with a championship. He said he learned a lot from their surprising playoff run last season and wants to keep that level of play going, especially now that they won鈥檛 sneak up on the other teams.

鈥淢y expectation for the team is to get better day in and day out,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淣ow that we got out first AUS playoff experience under our belt, we know what we need to do to get back there.鈥�

Of course, Miller can鈥檛 do it all鈥攈e鈥檒l need a solid supporting cast to help him. The third-year floor general will headline a backcourt that Glenn deems 鈥渢he best he鈥檚 ever had.鈥� Glenn adds that Kamari Scott and veteran Dakelle Brooks are two players who will need to be more reliable on a game-to-game basis. Scott is a prime candidate to have a breakout season as he鈥檚 been able to slow the game down, allowing him to make better decisions with the ball, while Brooks looks to put up career numbers in his final season. They will be joined by Sam Chisholm, who has been putting up solid numbers in the pre-season, pesky defender Isaiah Ankra, and rookie Daren Clarke.

The front court sustained the most turnover, but Glenn is still excited about what he has seen so far. Abilash Surendran looks to establish himself as the team鈥檚 starting centre after enduring an injury-plagued rookie campaign. Surendran provides a matchup nightmare with his athleticism and ability to stretch the floor in his six-foot-seven frame. Meanwhile, rookie Nestor Herrera from Spain brings a low post presence the team has been lacking. With his big frame and soft touch around the rim, Herrera fits the bill to give easy points in the paint when the offence stalls. Together, Herrera and Surendran could form a fearsome duo up front. As for rookie wing Cameron Brown, the sky鈥檚 the limit, as he may be the most athletic player Glenn has coached at 17吃瓜.

Kamari Scott, who, like Miller, has been an important piece in the program鈥檚 transformation as a contender, wants to see the rise to the top continue.

鈥淎fter coming up short of an AUS title, we know what it takes and what type of standard has to be set for us to win a championship,鈥� Scott said. 鈥淚 believe all the hard work that has been put in over the summer until now will show. Lookout for a big season from your Panthers.鈥�

The 17吃瓜 Men's Basketball Panthers host the Cape Breton Capers this Friday, October 28 at 8:00 pm for their home opener.