As Eastern returns from winter break the outlook for the basketball programs may discourage some Panther fans. With each the men’s and women’s teams opening their Ohio Valley Conference season 0-2, it’s hard to find a lot to be excited about right now. Add in the fact that each of these teams, who are a combined 1-13 away from home, have two more games on the road before they open OVC play in Lantz and the forecast looks down right scary. But don’t get down; there is a silver lining to this storm cloud.

Last year at this point the men’s and woman’s teams were in much tougher positions, as they each limped into conference play with a 3-10 record. Suddenly the men’s 5-8 mark doesn’t seem so bad. And the women’s 7-6 record looks out of this world.

Each of these teams are young and are showing promise so far this season. While the Eastern men are led in scoring by senior guard Emanuel Dildy (15.2 ppg), and is trailed closely by junior guard Josh Gomes (14 ppg). Coming off the bench Eastern has young talent that gives them good depth. Redshirt freshman guard Bobby Catchings is leading the non-starters with 7.5 ppg and true freshman center George Tandy has made his presence felt averaging 5.7 ppg and 5.2 rebounds per game while adding some height to the undersized Panthers.

On the women’s side new Eastern head coach Brady Sallee should be happy with his start in Charleston. His team, like men’s head coach Rick Samuel’s team, is full of young talent with three underclassmen in the lineup.

Junior center Janelle Cazy dropped 35 points in a loss to Austin Peay but that kind off performance will give the Panthers confidence in the post when they can’t go to first team preseason All-OVC center Pam O’Connor. Eastern’s women also proved they don’t just have to go inside to score points. Sophomore guards Megan Casad and Melanie Ploger are each shooting over 45-percent from the field.

So as Eastern starts the spring semester and Panther basketball starts the OVC season things are looking up for Eastern, even if the records don’t show it.

Dan Renick is a junior journalism major and can be reached at [email protected].