PANTHER

GAMEDAY MAGAZINE OF KINGSTON PANTHERS ISSUE NO.1

THE

KINGSTON PANTHERS V SEFTON STARS II 20TH OCTOBER 2013

KIT SUPPLIE R

PANTHERS ROAR

Dear Panther Fans, Welcome to out first ever National League home game at the very impressive Sports Arena. After 3 to 4 months of hard work we are finally here and the Panthers success story continues with 2 wins from 2 tough games. The back room staff and myself have been very busy during pre-season getting everything ready and preparing for this years debut season in National League. After last seasons success in the local league, we knew we had got a strong squad that was ready for National League. But we felt we needed something else, so over the summer I went on a personal mission to find three to four players that would make us unstoppable. I spent a few weeks travelling back, and after todays performance Im sure you will agree the additions to the team are the right ones. Our guys are strong, athletic and over the summer we have built a team, a brand that is something a little different to Hulls basketball community. I would like to firstly thank all our sponsors who have contributed so far this season. Without you guys this story wouldnt have continued. I would like to give a big thank you to Peter and all the guys at James Legal solicitors, our official national league sponsors. We are only as successful as the people supporting us, and the support has been overwhelming. Well fans sit back and get ready to welcome the Kingston Panthers team to the court, we want to hear you shout and scream and support Hulls newest team. You fans in the crowd are as important as the players on the court, you are the sixth man and we need you help. Also dont forget to pick up your Panthers merchandise catalogue, the more blue and white in the crowd the better. Enjoy todays game!!! Thank You Karl Buitendam Director Of Basketball

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COACHES COMMENTS

Hello Panthers fans welcome to my corner! Recently we made the short journey over to Leeds Carnegie to play our very first National League game after what seemed like an everlasting pre season. In doing so creating club history by achieving our first ever national league victory 85 44. The score line seems emphatic however it didnt feel like that on the day! The first two quarters were very scrappy and hard fought, a mixture of nerves and unfamiliarity seemed to be the diagnosis. Consequently we a found a cure in the third and fourth dominating play hitting a lot of open cutters and setting some hard screens to free up shooters. Upon reflection the game was an ideal starter for the season all 12 men contributed to the victory supplemented

with travelling fans who brought a lot of noise made it a great experience for me. It was a great game to test the depth and player rotations of our squad against Division 4 opposition. The game didnt totally go our way however when something was asked of the squad they duly responded with flare and a chilling sense of execution. We are now looking to carry this momentum forward and make winning a habit. On a final note I would like to thank you all for attending tonights game, your support does not go unnoticed and is definitely the heartbeat of the club. So please continue to support and remember MAKE SOME NOISE! With love, Coach Hayes

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TEAM PHYSIO

EB SPONSORS

CLUB HISTORY
Kingston Panthers were founded in November 2011 and competed in the Humber Basketball Association development league for the 2011/12 season finishing in 4th position with a 8-3 record before winning the play-off final. Due to this success Director of Basketball Karl Buitendam revealed his dream to enter Panthers into EBL National League and began to recruit a team to compete primarily in the HBA premier league for the 2012/13 season but as a foundation for bigger things to come. Retaining the core of the 2011 team in MVP Ben Withers, current Nationla League player Sean Johnstone, James Moore and Matt Gant, Buitendam recruited extensively from local league teams bringing in key players Kamil Pilarski and Tomas Grigaliunas amongst others. In March 2013 Panthers merged with East Hull Harriers who were coached by highly respected coaches Arran Hayes and Geoff Lewis. This union enabled Panthers to form Kingston Panthers Juniors giving local youngsters a pathway into senior basketball and develop in a structured club surrounding, and also benefit from Coach Hayes skills as he agreed to coach the senior mens team. Around the same time local solicitors firm James Legal agreed a four figure sponsorship deal enabling Panthers to confirm their entry into EBL division 4 for the 2013/14 season whilst also securing the regions premier indoor sports facility The Sports Arena as home venue giving the team one of the best facilities in the entire league as a base to entertain basketball fans. Panthers finished the season unbeaten in all competitions with a 14-0 record acheiving an unprecedented quadruple in the process. The end of the season coincided with the formation of the Kingston Panthers Ladies team after a series of meetings between D.O.B Buitendam and a core of local players led by ex Bradford Dragon Rachel Dixon. This established the first organised ladies team in the city and plans are in place to develop towards entering National League in the 2014/15 season. A successful open trial session in May 2013 brought Daniel Lampkowski and Jason Milner to the team which in turn saw the signing of National league players Justin Loblack, Liam Hudson and Patryk Kozlowski. The 2013/14 season will see 6 teams representing Kingston Panthers in U16s CVL, U20s, Ladies and Mens in the HBA development league, Mens premier and Senior mens in National league. October 6th 2013 will go into the record books as a historic day for Kingston Panthers when they tipped off their National league campaign with a comfortable 85-44 victory over Leeds Allerton High Carnegie.

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A HUGE THANK YOU TO...

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MEET THE
Liam Hudson PG 511 - Attended High School and University in Michigan USA a deadly three point shooter with experience in Europe having played in Croatia and Montenegro.

Edgaras Krulis PG 62 - A silky smooth guard nothing phases him, a tough defender, part of our Lithuanian quartet.

Jason Milner PG 60 - Tenacious with seemingly endless reserves of energy, has experience locally with York Vikings and Scunthorpe Steelers.

Jamie Boynton G 59 - Explosive leaper who runs the fast break well, played in the tough Sheffield league for the Sheffield Suns.

Radek Gruszowski SG 61 - The ice cold assassin from Poland, cool under pressure with a good outside shot, outstanding on defense and when he gets hot can be a big time scorer Ola Popula SG 511 - Originally from Nigeria, likes to attack the basket without fear and can be difficult to stop with slick moves.

Rokas Macijauskis G/F 61 - The enforcer has the ability to guard any position his relentless approach frustrates opponents, unselfish and fearless from Lithuania.

Kamil Pilarski G/F 60 Played Division 4 for Hull Wasps, a silky smooth leader equally adept at scoring or creating opportunities for his team mates

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PLAYERS
Graham Smurthwaite G/F 63 - Very experienced at this level having played for Doncaster Panthers, Newcastle Eagles and Hull Stingers, a tough defender with a dangerous 3 point shot.

Patryk Kozlowski SF 64 - Formally of the locally renowned Goole warriors team, an athletic young forward with a reliable jump shot.

Tomas Grigaliunas F 64 - Offensively gifted, the Lithuanian sensation has a quick first step which he uses to attack the basket, a threat from anywhere on the court and a terrific offensive rebounder. Tomas Kutkevicius F 60 - Panthers very ownman of steel captain of the team whose size belies his ferocious rebounding ability, from Lithuania

Matty Abbott F 64 - The youngest member of the team, an explosive leaper and athletic rebounder.

Sean Johnstone F 64 - An original Panther from 2011, runs the floor well and has great post moves.

Justin Loblack F 64 - Born in London raised in Atlanta, Georgia, an athletic forward dominant on the boards, plays above the rim.

Daniel Lampkowski F/C 65 - Played division 3 in Poland, has great shooting range, a powerhouse with a variety of post moves and a soft touch inside.

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GALLERY

Kamil taking it to the hole

MVP Rokas animated on court

Tom G going through 3 players Super Smurf

Matty Abbot going in strong

Captain Tom K battling for the rebound

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IN THE NE WS

New sponsorship deal for Hull Panthers

James Legal Solicitors agreed the four-figure deal with Kingston Panthers after one its legal team, Pete Konieczko- Hansom, started training with the club. Mr Konieczko- Hansom said: I was inspired by the work ethic of the team, as well as the infectious enthusiasm of the coaching staff. I was particularly impressed by their vision of creating a team that could challenge for national honours on a yearly basis. Formed only two years ago, Kingston Panthers has recently finished an unbeaten Humber Basketball Association season, securing a clean sweep of the trophies available. The new deal has enabled the Panthers to secure the sports arena, in Walton Street, west Hull, to play their home games when

the season starts in September as well as providing new home and away kits. Director of basketball at the club Karl Buitendam said: I would like to thank James Legal solicitors for showing faith in Kingston Panthers. Having being in talks for several months they have displayed their support and belief by agreeing to be our official sponsor in our debut at England Basketball National League level. We like to treat our sponsors as part of the team and I think this has made a difference in gaining James Legals sponsorship.
Source: Hull Daily Mail

OFFICIAL TEAM TRANSPORT

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TODAYS OPPONENT
Sefton Stars were formed in 2005, growing quickly from a community club before joining National League division 4 in 2006. They consolidated in their debut season with a solid 8-6 record before excelling the following season winning the league title easily with an emphatic 15-1 record. Since then the Stars have gone on to become an established and competitive side in division 3 and as the club has grown and consolidated they have this season entered a 2nd team into division 4, as a progression for those players who excelled at U18 level. Having lost their debut match v league favourites Mersey Tigers very heavily 22-100, they have despite being more competitive against Leeds Tigers and Teesside Lions, succumbed in all 3 matches and currently sit Despite their lowly position Sefton do have players capable of making an impact, Danny Walsh (pictured) is the captain of the Welsh U18 national team and has experience of higher level basketball having played for the Stars division 3 team and led his teams scorers versus Teesside Lions with a season high 19 points. He is backed up by Cameron McKay who is a former England U18 star and Jamie Hughes both of whom are capable of troubling Panthers defence. Having played together for several seasons as they have progressed through the junior ranks, Sefton will be a well drilled cohesive unit, and as their recent results suggest they are growing in confidence and improving with each match.

Squad Name Louis Hart Sam Hawkins Darren Merritt Chris Helsby John Lockwood Rob Aindow Ben Duckworth Connor Potter Ben Mcgee Andy Hughes Jamie Hughes 185 180 180 183 Height (cm) 180 170

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FIXTURES AND RESULTS

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DIV 4 PREVIE W & TABLE

as a stepping stone for junior players to gain experience, however you can guarantee that they will be well coached and well drilled. Merseyside has 2 representatives this season, Liverpool who are perennial strugglers at this level and who finished bottom last season have now merged with exiled BBL team Mersey Tigers and now represent a massive threat, whilst Sefton Stars II are the 2nd team for the eastablished and strong division 3 team. Leeds Allerton High Carnegie are a young athletic team who were England schools finalists last season and have joined forces with the much heralded Carnegie programme to take its players to the next level. Leeds Tigers make up the division, another relatively unknown quantity who won the Leeds basketball league division 1 title last season. Tigers are led by high scoring Aussie Jarryd Moss whose deadly 3 point shooting should ensure they remain competitive. With so many new teams it is impossible to predict who will reign supreme at the end of the season, what we do know is that it is going to be a fantastic season of basketball.

ts all change in division 4 North for the 2013/14 season, following the very early withdrawal of Bradford Dragons II and Childwall Academy there are 10 teams in the division 8 of whom are new teams with only Hull Wasps and Liverpool (Mersey Tigers) remaining from last season. Teesside Lions have been relegated from division 3 and should be amongst the favourites for promotion as they have a reputation for being one of a handful of teams at this level who recruit from overseas and this season have a pair of high calibre Portugese players, along with stalwarts Hull Wasps who have recruited impressively, including GB U20 John Stewart who starred in division 2 in 2012, and look strong this season. The North East, a hot bed of basketball talent, has 3 sides representing this season, Gateshead Phoenix have recruited ex BBL players Dijon Fisher and Will Spragg both of whom won championship medals with the Newcastle Eagles, and should fare well. Rounding out the trio of North East teams BBL clubs Durham Wildcats and the powerhouse Newcastle Eagles have both entered 2nd teams. Historically BBL 2nd teams do not perform well as they are used

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