by 
Superior Sun
The Superior basketball team won only two games last season. Playing with a number of underclassmen tends to lead to those types of results. Head coach Ryan Palmer and his team took their lumps last year figuring those results would pay dividends in the future.
Five returning varsity players, including senior starters Matthew Zavala and Ricky Longoria, give the Panthers more experienced players than they had last year.
Still, they’re missing some additional experience and talent despite not losing any players to graduation.
“We lost (some) potential talent with a few key players out with injuries and some starters from last year who chose not to play,” Palmer told the Superior Sun.
Palmer hopes some players from Superior’s successful JV program can move up to the varsity level and take advantage of their chance. That type of ascension helps to build a competitive program.
“I think this year will provide great opportunities for these young players to gain valuable experience,” he said.
Zavala, Longoria, and sophomore Jalon Murray are expected to make a difference for this year’s Panthers’ team.
Improving on fundamentals, playing hard each game, and improving as the season goes on are important to a successful season, according to Palmer.
And, like most coaches across the state, he wouldn’t mind if each player added about six to eight inches in height.
The Panthers open their season next Tuesday, Nov. 25, at Globe. The tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
by by