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 College men’s basketball team this winter. In his first full season behind the bench, head coach Jeff Charney led the Panthers from last place to the Skyline Conference Tournament.

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 Kazeem Famuyide and Henry Ferrarin, but are excited about the prospects of returning such a strong core of underclassmen. Purchase will also look to replace valuable bench contributors Chris Evangelista and Owen Mann.

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

2008-09 Recaps: 
Fueled By Second Half, OW Wins Playoff Opener
Senior Day Success, Special Six Shine in Win Over Poly
Santana, Rams Halt Panthers Comeback Bid
Trio Bury CMSV
Playoff Push Begins with Win Over OW
Dunk-tacular: Orgias Slam Sinks Tech at Buzzer
Offense Stagnant at St. Joe's
Billups, Lewis Combine for 63 in Loss
Panthers Keep Bard Winless
Home Cooking: Panthers Serve Up MSM
Panthers Halt Skid at Yeshiva
Blue Knights Foil Lewis' Return
Powerful Rams Dissolve Late Panther Rally
Maritime Prevails in OT
Billups, Harrington Carry Purchase to W
Golden Eagles Hold On, 72-71
Lewis Nets 40, but Panthers Fall at OW
Panthers Bounce Back at CCNY
Lewis' 28 Lost as Lightning Stave Off Panthers
Despite Ferocious Comeback, Panthers Handed 1st Loss
Lewis' 35 Leads Purchase to Fifth Straight Win
Fourth Straight Vaults Panthers into First-place Tie
Panthers Win SUNY New Paltz Tourney
Opening Act: Panthers Dominate Pratt in Season Opener

2008-09 News:
Billups Also Named to All-Met Team
Billups Named to ECAC All-Star Team
Billups Named to D3 Hoops All-Region Team
Billups, Lewis Named to All-Skyline Team
Billups Named to Honor Roll
Billups Garners Skyline Player of the Week
Billups Back on Honor Rolls
Honor Roll Mentions fo Billups
Clean Sweep of Weekly Honors for Billups
Billups Earns a Pair of Honor Roll Mentions
Lewis Named to PrestoSports, Skyline Honor Rolls
Lewis Named to Honor Roll
Billups Named Skyline Co-Player of the Week
Harris Appointed New Assistant Coach

*League Games                                                                               
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*League Games                                                                               
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*League Games 
^ Senior Day                                                                              
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Men's Basketball 2004 Preview

After struggling early last season with adjustments under Coach Joe Ross, the Panthers look to build on a strong second half that took them to the finals of the Hudson Valley Men’s  Athletic Conference tournament. 

While All-Conference selections Steve Sage and Marc Pierre will be missed, this year’s squad returns a solid core of experience and talent including Akantunde Henderson-Amare, Peter Tambakis, Benny Rupel, Desmond Turner, Jamal Ien, and Richie Rivera.  Coaches Ross and John McLoughlin also look for major contributions from newcomers Adam Kalker, Clinton Lowe, Jaison Correa-Spain, Chad Charney, Carlton Wilson, Mike Wimmer, Dan Minieri, and Fred Gibson.

Look for Rupel, Minieri, and Wilson to bring a strong inside presence, along with a balanced Panther attack that finds at least six student -athletes equipped to play two and three positions each.  “We learned a lot about each other last year.  These guys hung tough and it is time for them to see those efforts pay off,”  explains Coach Ross.  “People will see a core that is relentless, intense, and intelligent.  We look forward to putting it together this season.”