November 19, 1996

‘ 7 Sports @

The Panther Prints

Basketball Bits & Bites Panthers Faced Thoughts on The 1996 - 97 Team

Though it can not be de- nied that Curtis Robinson car- ried the Mens Basketball Team last year, this years team has already found another player to help move the team forward.

Doug Newson, is the choice of student basketball fans to carry on in Robinson's place.A four year player Newson has already won player of the game twice this year and had game high 28 and 31 point games. Having come from Charlottetown Rural High School last year,has adjusted well consid- ering that he played "A" ball before he played "AA", will be taking over as the Panthers new leader.

Rookie Phillip Davis Jr. with his shooting and rebound- ing abilities is a great addition to the team, and appears to be quite comfortable with the

Panthers style of basketball as played in the AUAA's.

Greg Lucas can not to- tally fill the void on the court left behind by Robinson but, when he stays out of foul trou- ble he can hold his own against most centers in the AUAA.

All three types of lines used by coach George Morrison against Laval have been interesting. In one line he used | center, then 2 centers, and in some lines no centers at all. It is evident that Morrison is experimenting with his team structure and this is the best time to do it; during exhibi- tion games. Though the Pan- ther may be lacking in physi- cal size compared to other AUAA teams they are attempt- ing to make up for it and actu- ally are making up for it in their shooting.

Team contribution was thoroughly noticeable last weekend. It was more evident in Fridays game then on Sat- urday. Panthers Pete Richard, Rob Evans and Shane Walsh played well in their time on court. If the team is to go anywhere this year they will need the contribution on the courtofall the players. | would still like to see Walsh receive more playing time. If he is given his chance to prove him- self, perhaps Coach Morrison willtake notice and see that he is an important asset on the court.

Note: The mens and women home opener is No- vember 23 and 24 against Memorial University.

Any person wishing to comment on these or any of my articles please E-mail PROSS@UPEI.ca

Rugby Season Ends On High Note

The 1996 UPEI Rugby season ended with a bang at the year- end banquet. There was good food and drink, lively entertain- ment, and good times! Special thanks to all the staffatthe Barn for their assistance throughout the season.

This was UPEI’s most successful season to date. Both mens teams reached the final with victories over St. Thomas. Unfortu- nately, both A and B division teams were defeated by Mt. Allison

League Championship.

Allseason our guys braved the weather tough practices and close matches for noth- ing more than the love of the game. We payed our own way all year with no bonuses or added incentives. Many thanks to our coaches Rod and Ed for a great season, Mariott for the food, Sockey MacDonald and Moosehead for their generosity, anyone who lent a hand during the season and the girls squad for putting up

Near Disaster Final Game Almost Lost on Free Throws

The UPEI mens basket- ball team met Laval Univer- sity on November | & 2 in what would be two very dif- ferent outcomes. With odd UPEI team components in use and unusually increased play- ing time for certain players the excitement was undoubt- edly present.

In Friday’s game the Panthers had to fight to stay alive in the first part of the game and then they turned the wheels around and never looked back. With a halftime score of 48 to 37 for UPEI the Panthers started from there and just kept sinking the baskets. Player of the Game Doug Newson earned himself 31 points while teammate Scott Morrison added 13 points. Panthers rookie Phillip Davis Jr. scored 12 points.

Saturday’s game saw a much more determined Laval Rouge et Or. The Panthers trailed Laval for most of the game with only a few times

_VPE| RugDy TEAM

taking the lead. UPEI did how- ever lead at half time 31 to 28. In the latter part of the game the Panthers started their big- gest lead of the game then to be striped from them. UPEI was ahead of Laval by only 2 points (67-65) with 3 seconds left in the second half. Laval was at the line shooting 2. Laval sank | basket to make the score 67-66. UPEI then gets fouled and Scott Morrison sank | of 2 shots. The game ended with the Panthers win- ning 68-66 and Jason MacDonald winning “Player of the Game”.

Except for the “Haitian Sensation”, Laval’s #31 Frantz-Eric Elysee. A 6'4" forward from Haiti, the Laval Rouge et Or are very low on talent. They are weak on the boards, they are lacking size, and they have no help on defense. One would think that this would decrease the chance of a tight game, rather it was not the case.

Dy Vena Or ves bane le