Sports
Pomperaug Boys' Basketball Hopes to Build Off Returning Players
The Pomperaug boys' basketball squad should be strong this season in the South West Conference.
The Pomperaug boys' basketball team has been making steady progress in the South-West Conference and return a solid core of players that will raise the bar again this season.
The Panthers went 14-9 last year and graduated four seniors that combined for 21 points per game. Pomperaug will need to find replacements for Aaron Taranovich, Brett Koliani, Greg Pun and Evan Potpinka who led the Panthers to the SWC playoffs and the second round of the Class L State Tournament.
It's been four seasons since the Panthers contended for an SWC crown when the 2006-2007 team went 17-7 and advanced to the SWC semifinals before falling to eventual champion Kolbe Cathedral.
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Following last year's 14-9 campaign, and with the talent the Panthers have returning, they should be in the running among the top competitors in the tough SWC.
Pomperaug returns three of their top scorers and rebounders from last year. Leading the way will be seniors Andre Makris (12 ppg, 7 reb, 3 blk), Brent Pelella (12 ppg, 3 reb, 3 ast) and Tim Harris (10 ppg, 7 reb).
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Senior Jake Belden (3 ppg, 3 ast) will lead the team from the point along with seniors Kevin Foy and Owen Loock.
Stratford, Kolbe Cathedral, Bunnell and Masuk are always favorites to finish near the top of the league. The Panthers should also be in the mix based on the experience they have returning.
Pomperaug will also have a little bit of depth to go along with a solid starting five. Juniors Mike Foley and Henry Archie saw varsity minutes as sophomores and will be joined by juniors Andrew Reel, Dave Flisher and Dominic Rosa.
The Panthers stumbled out of the gate last year starting 1-2 on the season. A six game winning streak with quality wins over Bunnell, Naugatuck and Bethel drew a little bit of attention in the SWC.
Pomperaug took Stratford down to the wire dropping a tough 59-55 decision before running off another four game winning streak surpassing the .500 mark for the fifth straight season.
The Panthers will look to take it up a notch this season, and with the scoring and rebounding experience that is returning they should be in the running for another appearance in the SWC playoffs.
The Panthers will start their season on December 20 at home when they face off against the Green Wave of New Milford before they partake in the Stratford Holiday Tournament on December 28-29.
