Coaching veteran Jonathan Winslow takes over as head coach of the Morrisville boys this season. He is in his 16th year of coaching coming off of six years as the Bakersfield head coach. He also has coached at Cassville, Spokane and Aurora Christian Academy.
“I am excited to be the coach at Marion C. Early and am looking forward to continuing the tradition of excellence in athletics at the school. I have been pleased with our work ethic and attitude and am looking forward to the season,” Winslow said.
The Panthers finished 13-14 last season and must replace a strong scorer in Conner Wilkins who averaged 18 points per game last season. Josh Turner (8 ppg, 6 rpg), Gavin Lombas (9.8 ppg), Jordan McMillen, Carston Ketcherside and Austin Collins also graduated.
Junior Justin McMillen will have to step up this season. He averaged 6.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a sophomore last year.
“Justin has the most experience of any returning player, as he started every game last year as a sophomore I believe,” Winslow said. “He will be asked to expand his scoring and to step up as a leader. He is a very smart basketball player with the ability to score in a variety of ways.”
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Seniors Ben Presley and Oscar Stephens each averaged about two points per game last season and will see their roles expand. Presley provides size down low while Stephens will play on the perimeter. Junior Jordan Parnell and sophomore Austin Francka also return after seeing time on varsity last year.
Senior Sisco Correlajo, junior Rickie Mills, sophomore Victor Duchscherer and freshmen Dylan Blehm and Garret Trantham will be new pieces in the varsity lineup this season.
Morrisville’s success will be dictated by how the Panthers adjust to varsity competition.
“I expect us to continue to work hard and compete and improve throughout the season as we adjust to a new system and to varsity competition,” Winslow said.
Morrisville opens the season on Nov. 21 at Wheatland.
