One sport. One team. One dream. Palmetto’s basketball season is finally underway, and the team wants to come out strong this year.
The team reached Districts last year, but fell short against Columbus in the semifinals. This year, the basketball team looks forward to the new season and wants to come back and improve from last year’s outstanding performance.
However, this basketball season will be slightly more challenging with the departure of their star player, Tim Hardaway Jr., who graduated last year and attends Michigan on full scholarship. Hardaway led the team last year with an average of 23.4 points, 11 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game last season.
But the team is ready for the challenge. Palmetto has new key players that are ready for the season. Seniors Ben Birns, Edward Flynn, Sean Kett and Austin Hunt and junior Anthony Sinclair are ready to step up and return to Regionals this year. New contributors to the varsity team, like sophomore Kory Schulz, understand their new plan without Hardaway.
“We have a lot of guys who are stepping up and playing more minutes, which will help us play better,” Schulz said.
Additionally, Palmetto has a new coach: Economics teacher Orlando Gonzalez. Formerly a Coral Gables teacher and Interim Head coach for Barry University from 2008 to 2009, Gonzalez has a new home here at Palmetto. He is confident about this year and wants to compete for the District Championship.
“We have the talent to win it, and if we meet their potential they will be successful this year,” Gonzalez said.
Senior Austin Hunt is excited for the new season and wants to play under Coach Gonzalez.
“He knows what he’s talking about, and he knows the game of basketball,” Hunt said. “I can’t wait to play for him.”
The boys basketball team hopes to start out just as strong as the girls basketball team, who have started with a 7-1 record. As of December 2, the guys are 6-0 and wish to continue playing strong throughout the rest of the season. Panther tip-off is just underway.