Panther boys tip off on Tuesday

The Mt. Pleasant Community High School boys? basketball season begins Tuesday when the Panthers host Class 4A Cedar Rapids Xavier, starting with the JV game at 6 p.m.

Last season, the boys finished 24-3 and took third in the Class 3A state tournament. But after graduating nine seniors ? including five starters and three three-year starters ? this year there will be a very different team taking the floor.

Jordan Ashton, Nick Lyon and Blake Vandenberg return to lead the new squad, which ? although it doesn?t have much varsity experience ? has a strong grasp on the game from years in the AAU circuit.

The Panthers will have to rely on that experience for their competitive opening week. After facing Xavier on Tuesday, the Panthers travel to Fairfield on Friday, Dec. 2, before hosting Pella on Saturday, Dec. 3.

But for now, the team?s focus is on one game only.

?We?ve beaten them (Xavier) the past three years,? Head Coach Paul Rundquist said. ?We definitely won?t be sneaking up on them. It?s a tough week, (but we) cannot look ahead. The most important game is game one ? tomorrow.?