Sports

Men’s basketball gears up for upcoming season

The Prairie View A&M men’s basketball team is set to tip off the upcoming season Friday at Mississippi State. The Panthers lost four players, due to them graduating which included two of their top leading scorers from the 2012-2013 season.
The Panthers suffered a devastating loss in the SWAC championship game last season, losing the game in the final seconds to Southern University 45-44.
During the offseason the Panthers added three players who could contribute to the team in a major way. Head coach Byron Rimm II said he is ready for this season to kickoff so the men can showcase their talents.
“We had a lot of great athletes to come in during the off season. We had a couple of kids who were all-American that chose to come to our program.”
The Panthers are returning 2013-2014 SWAC preseason defensive player of the year Jules Montgomery who averaged 7.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season. Also returning to the court this season is Louis Munks. Who broke his last season during the Texas A&M match, which caused him to miss the remainder of the season.
“It’s been long overdue. I’m ready to get back on the court and play in front of my school and play with my team,” Munks said on coming back after his injury.
Dallas native Montreal Scott came into play huge toward the end of the season and finished averaging 5.1 points per game.
Three-year letterman Demondre Chapman is the most experienced player on the roster and should provide a presence in the paint with averages of 6.6 points and 4.2 rebounds last season.
Rimm said he feels really confident about this season.
“I really feel confident about this season. We have a lot of players who can play many different positions, and we can have a lot of interchangeable parts.”
The team’s home opener against Schreiner University will be on Monday, Nov. 11. Also on Thursday, Nov. 14, the Panthers will host Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. in the Baby Dome.