The Knoxville Boys Basketball Season gets underway tonight with a battle against PCM. The Panthers come in with a lot of experience from a team that went 8-14 last year and have one of the area’s best players in Kieren Nichols, who averaged over 19 points per game last year. Along with Nichols, Ben Olson moves out to his natural position on the wing, plus new faces with move-in Spencer Hixson and freshman Luke Keitges are just a few of the Panthers that may see action this season. Coach Jeff Larson tells KRLS Sports the expectation is to win games and to compete in every game this season.

Larson:
“We expect to win some basketball games, and expect to be competitive in every game we play. These kids like basketball and are having fun with it right now, and they’re a good group of kids and I just think good things are headed for them.”

PCM went 13-8 last season and has to replace double digit scorers Andrew Van Rys Wyk and Reed Worth. You can hear the game live on 95.3 KNIA with Derek Cardwell at 7:30.

While the boys are playing at home, the Panthers girls embark on their first road game of the season against Van Meter. The two teams squared off last season in a late season addition to the schedule due to several cancellations, with the Bulldogs winning 60-48 in a game Van Meter got control of early leading 33-8 at the half. Knoxville Coach Jim Uitermarkt tells KRLS Sports he and the coaching staff have reminded the girls how last year went, knowing Van Meter will be one of the better teams on their schedule.

Uitermarkt:
“It’s awesome to have this PCM game and that Van Meter game to challenge us before we get into conference play. We’ll see what happens against Van Meter, but I know we’re going to do a better job than we did last year.”

Tip off from Van Meter is scheduled for 7:30, listen for score updates during the Knoxville boys broadcast on 95.3 KNIA.