Bristol Panthers' 2011-12 Preview
Head Coach: Craig Giesy
2010-11 Record: 3-18
Conference: Northeastern Athletic Conference
2010-11 Playoff Finish: lost to Newbury, 47-43, in Division IV Sectional Semifinal
State Tournament Appearances: 2 (2002, 1994)
State Championships: None
Post Season History Since 2000
Regional Championships: 1 (2002)
District Championships: 2 (2003, 2002)
Sectional Championships: 4 (2009, 2006, 2003, 2002)
Returning Team Leaders
Points Per Game: Austin Rimer, 5.5
Rebounds Per Game: Austin Rimer, 2.0
Free Throw Percentage: Austin Rimer, 70.5% (43-61)
Three-Point Percentage: Chad Oliver, 34.2% (13-38)
2011-12 Schedule
(7:30 p.m. unless noted)
December 2 - at Maplewood
December 6 - at Jackson-Milton
December 9 - Bloomfield
December 16 - at Southington
December 23 - at Badger
December 27 - Champion
January 3 - Heartland Christian
January 6 - at Ledgemont
January 10 - Lordstown
January 13 - at Pymatuning Valley
January 17 - at Garrettsville Garfield
January 20 - Badger
January 24 - Southington
January 27 - at Grand Valley
January 31 - Ledgemont
February 3 - at Lordstown
February 7 - at Bloomfield
February 10 - Maplewood
February 17 - at Mathews
February 24 – Newbury
One of Bristol’s greatest athletes is returning to coach his alma mater. Craig Giesy (Class of ’03) played on the Panther team that played in the State Semifinal against Delphos St. John’s in 2002 is taking on a new role in Bristolville. Giesy replaces Mark Mollohan at the helm of the Panther program.
Over the last twenty years, Bristol has been a hot bed for basketball talent. Take a look at the five First-Team All-State members (Craig Giesy, John King, Tim Woods, Jeff Kassan, Mark Elza) and at the five Associated Press top-10 rankings during that time (2001-02: #3, 2000-01: #5, 1998-99: #7, 1994-95: #5, 1993-94: #4). Coach Giesy will try and regenerate those winning ways which he became accustomed to when he suited up for the black and gold.
The Panthers’ top-scorer Andy Holko (17.1) graduated last spring after an impressive campaign which saw him do more than score. Number 23 led the team in rebounding (5.3) and steals (2.0). This year’s group will lean on seniors Mike Young and Austin Rimer while junior Chad Oliver will also be counted on to produce once again. Young participated in 19 games last year averaging just under two points per game (1.7). Rimer scored 5.5 points and shot 70.5% (43-61) from the charity stripe. Oliver posted an average of 5.1 points, 1.6 caroms and shot 34.2% (13-38) from long distance.
Bristol begins the new season at Maplewood on December 2.
