Resilient Panthers Making Strides Despite Setbacks

Author: Dan Russell
Staff Writer

The Middlebury College men's basketball team returned from their break with renewed enthusiasm, as they resumed practice on Dec. 30 in preparation for a grueling winter term schedule, consisting of seven games over the course of 13 days.

The new year began on a somber note for the Panthers, however, as they were forced to cope with the unfortunate loss of influential senior forward/center Chris King for the rest of the season to an ankle sprain. As one of Middlebury's co-captains and its lone senior, his quiet but strong presence and veteran leadership proved invaluable in helping the youthful Panthers adjust to their new roles and the rigors of Division III basketball.

His loss is perhaps all the more saddening in that this season was to be, in many ways, his first full season, having waiting patiently as an understudy to a team which graduated nine seniors last year, and finally getting the chance to assume his role as a starter. He made his presence felt immediately, showing enormous potential and flashes of brilliant play.

The Panthers proved their resiliency, however, as they banded together to face their first true test of the new year against Springfield College (Mass.) on Jan. 6. It was a tightly contested match from the very beginning with the lead changing hands several times throughout the first half. Middlebury was able to hold Springfield (9-1), and its All-American Michael Parker in check with a trapping press defense and entered halftime with a 34-31 lead.

Springfield regained the lead in the second half, leading at one point by as many as nine. The Panthers promptly responded with an 8-0 run of their own, cutting the lead to one with 9:27 left in the game. Eric Bundonis '03, the lone remaining upperclassman, turned in a very strong performance, leading all scorers with 17 points and six rebounds, aided by the play of point guard Koby Altman '04 (10 points, 4 assists.)

The game also saw the emergence of Michael Salek '05 who, in an offensive explosion, scored 12 points in the space of 12 minutes of play, including a barrage of 3-pointers - 3-of-6 from behind the arc.

In a thrilling series, with Springfield up by three with only two minutes left to play in the second half, Salek showed incredible poise by hitting a clutch three pointer to tie the game. Springfield was then unable to score on their last possession, sending the game into overtime.

Springfield's experience gave them the advantage in overtime however, as they made 12 of their 13 foul shots, and gradually edged out Middlebury. In a valiant effort, with Springfield ahead by three, Salek hit another three-pointer to tie the game.

Yet Springfield was able to score inside on the next series and Middlebury was unable to answer on the other end, as Bundonis' shot went wide.

Middlebury was then forced to foul, and Springfield converted their last four free throws, finally winning 81-74. It was a good test of the Panthers' mettle against a very good Springfield team and is an encouraging sign of things to come.

The team achieved some measure of redemption against Norwich University following the tough Springfield loss. The game was never really in doubt as the Panthers led from the start and shot 5-10 from behind the three-point line while holding the Cadets to only 36 percent shooting in the first half (as well as out-rebounding them 46-35 in the game); going into halftime leading 33-26.

In the second half, they went on a 16-4 run to pull away eventually winning 64-48. Bundonis turned in another find performance with 18 points on 8-15 shooting as well as hauling down four rebounds, and Nate Anderson '04 and David Coratti '04, chipped in with nine and seven points, respectively.

The Panthers then traveled to Keene State (9-1), and played perhaps their best game of the season in another fiercely competitive matchup.

The Panthers guarded a one-point lead 37-36 at halftime, and led by as many as eight points with 14:59 left to play in the second half on a three-pointer by freshman Adam Sinoway '05 who had 10 points on 2-6 from behind the arc.

The Owls gradually fought their way back into the game and regained the lead however, and pulled away for good in the last eight minutes on a flurry of three-pointers and second-chance shots, eventually winning 88-73. The loss of King was perhaps most keenly felt in this match as the Owls exploited the Panthers' weakness inside, out-rebounding them on the offensive boards 23-8. Anderson led the Panthers with a team-high 19 points. The Panthers then returned to Pepin Gymnasium and beat Castleton State handily 80-61, finishing with a 6-6 record overall.

The game against Keene State, one of their stronger opponents this season, was an excellent gauge of their ability. The Panthers begin New England Small College Athletic Conference play against Trinity this Friday and then against Amherst the following day, both at home.

The Panther's played a late game on Tuesday, Jan. 15 in which they beat Union at home in the newly renovated Pepin Gymnasium. With the 64-58 victory the men's team now moves above .500 sporting a 7-6 record.