PANORA — The boys basketball program at Panorama is hoping new direction will lead the team in a new direction.
Nick Peasley takes over for Brad Halterman, who stepped down after last season. The Panthers were 6-16 overall and 4-14 in WCAC play.
Panorama averaged 54.5 points per game in 2017-18 while allowing 58.5 ppg. The team shot 413-of-1082 (38.2 percent) from the floor, with a 120-of-401 (29.9 percent) clip behind the 3-point arc. A total of 37 percent of all field goals attempted by the team were 3-pointers.
The Panthers connected on 248-of-374 (66.3 percent) free throws while grabbing 577 rebounds (26.2 rpg). The squad make 226 total assists, had 182 steals and blocked 32 shots but were guilty of an average of 16 turnovers per outing.
Many of the statistical leaders return, including the top three scorers.
Senior Gracen Welberg leads the way after hitting for 283 points (12.9 ppg) last season. He pulled down a team-best 129 rebounds (5.9 rpg) while making 37 assists and coming up with 42 steals.
Sophomore Zach Rizzuti had 224 points (10.2 ppg) and 99 boards (4.5 rpg) while providing 31 steals from a wing position.
Junior Malachi Peasley recorded 141 points (6.4 ppg) while shooting 33-of-110 (30 percent) behind the 3-point arc. He finished with 68 assists and had 33 steals.
That experience may help the team in close contests. Almost half of the team losses were by 10 points or less, with four setbacks decided by two possessions or fewer.
The season begins with a trio of home dates. Woodward-Granger visits Panora Nov. 30, with IKM-Manning the guest at 1 p.m. on Dec. 1 while Pleasantville will be the visitor Dec. 4. All three are boys/girls sets, with the W-G and Pleasantville WCAC sets both beginning at 6 p.m.
