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November 28, 2008

H.S. Boys Basketball Preview: Elwood

By John Millikan, For The Herlad Bulletin

ELWOOD — Over the past couple of seasons, the Elwood boys basketball team has been on a bit of an upswing.

Two seasons ago, the Panthers only won five games. Last year, Elwood won 11 games, including a stretch where it won nine out of 10.

This season, the Panthers return four starters and feature a team with seven seniors. That experience is something that head coach Kyle Hobbs thinks can lead to a successful season.

“There is no substitute for experience at the high school level,” Hobbs said. “Those kids that we have back this year have been there. They have been in some good games and some championship games. Now they just need to take the next step forward.”

The returning starters for this year’s squad are seniors Jacob Dunnichay, Nathaniel Jones, Thomas Abner and Aaron Durm.

Dunnichay, who averaged nearly 15 points per game last season, will start at point guard for the third straight year.

“We are looking forward to him leading our team and being able to put up some points and distribute the ball,” Hobbs said.

At 6-foot-3, Abner returns as the team’s main threat in the post.

“He is our strongest player and our best rebounder,” Hobbs said. “He is going to have to be our scoring threat and defense inside.”

The last two returning starters are Durm and Jones, who are both considered the team’s best defenders by Hobbs. Key newcomers for the Panthers include Tyler Creasy, Chris Young and Miles Davis. Creasy is expected to take the final starting position, which was left void by Nate Wills, last year’s leading scorer.

“Creasy is the one guy we have that can consistently shoot the ball from the perimeter,” Hobbs said. “We are looking for him to make up for some of the points we lost from Wills.”

In addition to experience, Elwood features a quick team, which could be beneficial considering the fact that its tallest player is only 6-foot-3 (Abner). Elwood’s only other players taller than 6-foot are Creasy (6-foot-2) and Durm (6-foot-1).

“I think we have the potential to be very good,” Hobbs said. “If we can knock down some shots and open up some things in the lane then I think our quickness can take over. There are not too many teams that we play that are going to be quicker than us.”

Last season, the Panthers lost their first four games by an average margin of 26.5 points. Elwood plays three of those four teams at the beginning of this season, including 2A No. 5 Tipton on Dec. 9.

“These first four games are going to be a big test for our kids,” Hobbs said. “We are playing four quality teams to start the season, and if we can battle through the first four and get off to a good start, it can propel us into the conference season.”

Elwood tips off the season Nov. 29 at home against Lapel at 7:30 p.m. Lapel defeated the Panthers 57-44 last season and has beaten Elwood nine straight times.

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