The Penquis boys basketball team will have a strong core group from last years team. That was a squad that was in the majority of their games despite finishing with a 3-15 record.
The Patriots will have a disadvantage in most games when it comes to size. Mills hopes they can force the issue with some pressure defense. Another year of experience could help Penquis in close games this season.
Zak Mills, Will Waterhouse, Alvin Robshaw, Corbin Cyr, and Mikal Sickler all started games last season and will be counted on for leadership on and off the court. Nate Lovejoy, and Trevor Saunders awere key contributors on the JV team last year and will be counted on at the varsity level this season.Incoming freshman Max Wells and Dylan McKenzie also could see minutes during varsity games this season.
“We have a total of 16 players in the program and are playing a JV schedule as well,”Mills said. “Each JV game there will be 8 to 9 guys that will swing down and play in the JV game.”
The Penquis athletic programs are currently shut down due to COVID cases at school. They hope to be back to practice and playing games by early next week.
“The pandemic has been tough on us like it has been on everyone else. We are currently shut down with Athletics at Penquis because of COVID cases in our school. The players have been great dealing with everything that has been thrown at them. They have been great with wearing the mask and all the other protocols they have been asked to follow. Just hoping to get back to in person learning so we can have a season,”Mills said. “Our student athletes are tough kids and as long as we get to play we will make the best out of this season. A lot of these players play a spring sport and did not get to do that last year so they are grateful for the opportunity to play right now and will make the best of it.”