2008-09 Season in Review
Panthers Make Stunning Turnaround in '08-09
Billups, Lewis Named to All-Skyline Team
Purchase, NY (Feb. 26, 2009) – To steal from the old cliché, “What a difference a year makes.”
From 3-22 a year ago to 15 wins and a playoff berth. That was the story for the
Purchase would fall in the quarterfinal at Old Westbury, but there is no doubt that the program is on the right track to remain competitive and possibly challenge for a league crown for years to come.
For starters, Purchase’s underclassmen are among the best in the league. Sophomore sensation Marvin Billups dominated, leading the conference in scoring (23.1 ppg) this season. Then there’s sophomore’s Justin Walters, Tyriq Harrington, Corey Orgias and maybe top recruit Chuck Thompson ready to return next fall. Walters led the league in steals and teamed with Harrington as one of the top guard duos off the bench this year.
Senior Day 2009
The Panthers will miss backcourt starters Jerrell Lewis and Chad Charney and front court standouts
Lewis was named to the All-Skyline Second Team this winter. Billups garnered All-Skyline First Team honors and became the first in Purchase basketball history to be named to the D3 Hoops.com All-Atlantic Region Second Team, which would then by followed by a prestigious ECAC All-Star Second Team honor.
Six seniors might be gone from the roster next season, but with two starters returning in Billups and Orgias, and Harrington, Walters and Thompson set to fill the void in 2009-10 left by the departing seniors, the sky is the limit for the Panthers next winter.
-Bobby Ciafardini, SID
