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By RICK DeLUCA
CONNORVILLE -- Greg Haberfield has been one of those patient coaches that just keeps his head up and keeps moving.
Although winning just 15 times in three years at Buckeye Local, the Panthers coach has learned one thing. Quitting is not an option.
Haberfield starts his fourth season as the Panthers coach and after his squad's bounce-back season last year, it appears that added success may be just on the horizon.
Graduation took a big chunk out of the Panthers including the team's top two scorers and top rebounder, but Buckeye has ample replacements and experience coming back.
Two leading scorers from year ago are gone in Ryan Moffo and Dylan Dokes while graduation also took Cayden Hennen, Jake Savage, Bobby Myers, Brandon Mayle and Chayce Dufrasne. Moffo was also the team's top rebounder a year ago.
Buckeye will open the season with a varsity roster that will include five seniors, four juniors, one sophomore and a promising freshman.
Heading the list of returning seniors is veteran Matthew Carducci, a 6-7 senior who finished his junior year with 160 points and 152 rebounds to go with 27 blocks.
"Carducci has become a dominating force inside the paint," Haberfield said. "He's worked hard in the weight room in the off-season and his strength has shown. We are going to focus on getting him the ball inside and great things will happen."
"Brad (Cost) is the hardest worker we have on this team," the Panther coach said about his 5-8 senior guard. "His leadership and knowledge has helped us stay on task and increase our team-togetherness. He is a great shooter and will help Drake (Novak) in handling the ball."
Another senior in the Buckeye attack is Sean Millard, a 6-4 senior guard/forward who transferred in from out west.
"Sean is a very gifted athlete and we are glad to have him this year," Haberfield remarked. "He is able to play inside and out on a consistent basis and has a knack for scoring with the basketball. We are going to try to create scoring opportunities for him as well.
Buckeye's roster also includes two more seniors that will be counted on during the season in 6-1 forward Nate Dwyer and 6-2 forward Michael McCain.
Novak, a skilled 6 ft. returning point guard, will lead a junior contingent that also features 6-0 guard Shane Heitz, 6-3 forward Max Moffo and 6-0 guard/forward Jeremiah Seaman. Novak finished last season with 134 points, 89 assists and 31 steals.
"Drake is able to get us going," Haberfield said of his talented guard. "He has a very high basketball I.Q. ad makes very good decisions on the floor, which is extremely important out of our point guard. We hope to create more scoring opportunities for him and continue to put him in favorable situations."
Buckeye's lone sophomore with the varsity this year is 6-0 guard Stevie Roberts. Jacob Moffo, a 6-0 guard, is only a freshman, but will see action with the varsity as well.
Haberfield has a full jayvee squad that will provide opportunity for the Panthers to build on. That group includes juniors 6-2 forward Trey Burgess, 5-7 guard James Mills, 5-11 forward Ryan Tinsley, 5-10 guard Zac Woodland and 6-2 forward Williams Hopkins.
Three freshmen that will be added to the jayvee contingent are 5 ft. 5 guard Josh Kinyo, 5-8 guard Michael Buksa and 5-11 forward Austin Farmer. Roberts and Jacob Moffo could also see action with the jayvee group.
Rounding out the freshmen group is 5-8 forward Ethan Powell, 5-8 forward Josh Barath, 5-8 guard Mark Bailey and 5-9 forward Dalton Watt.
Haberfield's staff returns varsity assistant Joe Soos and jayvee coach Chris Heaton. Neil McCormick will coach the freshmen, Brian Best will coach the eighth grade and Doug Flesch will be coaching the seventh grade.
Buckeye opens the season at home with Toronto. The Panthers will open with four straight home games and will play on their own court in seven of their first eight games before play eight of 10 on the road.