Senior Dillon Sugg is powering the offense for the Wenatchee boys basketball team, averaging 16.8 points through the first five games.

The Panthers are off to a 2-3 start, beating defeating Monroe 59-53 on Dec. 16 and Sunnyside 58-55 on Dec. 14. The Panthers lost to Newport 70-53 on Dec. 3, Lake City (Idaho) 51-38 on Nov. 30,  and Moses Lake 57-51 on Dec. 13.

Sophomore Gavin Long is also making a strong contribution on offense for the Panthers, averaging 11.6 points.

Despite the distraction of Coach Ron Stone’s one-game suspension (see our online edition for more information), the boys basketball team is optimistic about the future.

“We’re doing good, but we’re definitely getting better as a team,” Long said. “I’m really looking forward to playing Eastmont High School, because I really think we have a chance to go to State.”

Long believes the offense is lacking but the team makes up for it with its defense.

“The season’s going good, we’re still trying to get a feel for the game,” Stone said. “There’s a lot of young guys, but they work hard and have great attitudes.”

Stone believes the team needs to work on the execution of the offense. “We really need to work on our turnovers, the team is out of rhythm offensively,” Stone said. However, he is proud of how there is no ball hog on the team and that every player can contribute to scoring.

Sophomore Grady Miller and Long agree that Sugg has shown a lot of leadership this season. “He encourages and keeps on us,” Miller said. “He makes us better.”

Junior Chase Resch and Sugg are the only returning players from last year.

Eastmont and Davis will be Wenatchee’s biggest competition in league play, Long said. The next boys basketball game is Dec. 20 against EHS at the Town Toyota Center at 8 p.m.