First year head coach Bob Simmons is back at practice with his Marywood basketball team. Big wins in this year's cross County Challenge over Wilkes and King's helped the Pacers return to the .500 mark-a spot they would like to build on.
"We're so proud of these guys they fought they competed and they stayed coach-able and they believed they could win, and they went out and executed against two excellent coached teams. We did what we had to do. We got those wins," said Bob Simmons.
It's been a tough stretch for this Marywood program the last 20 years-only one winning season losing 74% of their games.
But if this team is going to improve their going to have to fight even harder. Pre-season rankings have the Pacers picked to finish 8th in the conference out of 10 teams.
"That's what we're working towards again we're a work in progress. I don't know when it will happen but I think it can happen here at Marywood. We have a lot of great things here. We have a beautiful facility as you can see. We have a great campus, great education, great location. It's going to take time and we're going to build it," again said Bob.
Ryan Corrigan is a senior for Marywood. He sees a bright future ahead.
"I think it does. Coaches come in with a different attitude and everyone has really bought in and I think that will help us not only this year but down the road to hang some banners in this gym," said Ryan.
Contributions continue to pile up for the Pacers. Shane Letthand hitting a game winning shot against Wilkes. Kendall Harris providing positive minutes off the bench, and guys like Matthew Clark, Shane Kellahar, and DJ Davis filling roles.
"It definitely helped with the confidence. We we're on a losing streak coming off of that and the wins definitely helped us. We're actually coming together more as a family and believing move," said Shane Letthand