Written by: Danny Talbert
The men's basketball team tip's off the 2023-24 season with an away exhibition at Alabama St. (Oct. 30).
Last season
In the 2022-23 season, the Panthers were 16-11 overall with a 7-5 CCS record. This placed the Panthers at three out of seven teams. The squad also made it to the semifinals of the CCS postseason tournament but dropped the game to Belhaven (Feb. 24, 2023). The team looks to climb back to the top of the CCS this season with key Panthers returning to play under Coach Wallace. This year, Coach Wallace is entering over a decade as the LC Men's Basketball Head Coach.
Cornerstone returners
One of the playmakers returning for the Panthers this year is senior forward Zac Hill. Last season, he played in 27 total games and averaged 14.3 points and 5.7 rebounds. Hill's dominance on the court was so commanding at times that he was awarded the title of Men's Basketball Player of the Week in the Collegiate Conference of the South during the week of January 30, 2023. In games against Huntingdon and Maryville that week, he averaged 16 points, 9.5 rebounds and a steal and a block per game, while shooting 61% from the field. Coaches around the conference would go on to vote him to the First Team All-CCS in the 2022-23 season. Another player that is returning after he was recognized by the CCS for his outstanding performances last year is senior guard Cam Lyons. The Second Team All-CCS guard averaged 11.5 points and 2.6 assists per game. He also averaged an incredible 35 minutes in the 22 games he played. Another returner that was named to the Second Team All-CCS is junior forward Kyle Smith. In the 27 games played, he averaged 25.6 minutes, 12.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. In addition the these key players returning is senior guard Gabe Cofield. During his sophomore and junior years, Cofield played in over 50 games while averaging a steady seven points and 4.5 rebounds per game over two seasons. These are just a few of the players who are going to make a big impact for the Panthers in the 2023-24 season.
Support the team
Individual game and season tickets are now on sale. Support the LC basketball program by purchasing tickets here. Come out to cheer on the players and create an electrifying atmosphere in Mariotti Gym.
When and where
The Panthers basketball season begins with a scrimmage against Alabama st. on Oct. 30. The first regular season game is against Birmingham Southern on Nov. 8. Tip off is at 7 p.m. in Mariotti Gym.
