There is plenty of experience on the Eastern basketball team this season, but there is another aspect that can help the Panthers take a bigger step forward.

That special asset is the addition of Eastern’s newcomers, especially junior college transfers Montell Goodwin, Ray Crossland and Muusa Dama.

The trio kicked off the season in a special way against St. Francis but not just on the stat sheet.

Even though it was not the toughest matchup for Eastern, the three Panthers showed their athleticism and physicality.

That is something that was missing in years past for the team, and it was also apparent in its short lived Ohio Valley Conference tournament appearance.

Goodwin’s offensive performance has been the first to note as he dropped 15 points in his first regular season game as a Panther.

With four of five starters returning from last season there is already a special amount of hype regarding this season.

But a quick and early 15-point performance from Goodwin just gives Panther fans a pleasurable sight to think about with him alongside Cornell Johnston, Casey Teson and Demetrius McReynolds.

“I think it fits all of us really good because we all can shoot and make plays, and we can just throw it to the rim with Muusa,” McReynolds said.

Dama does have a special ability at the rim at 6-foot-9-inches, and that was apparent with his nine rebounds in the first game.

“He can do some unbelievable things,” Eastern coach Jay Spoonhour said.

There already seems to be a more physical attack when the transfers take the court, and it helps that Spoonhour has a plethora of lineups to display night in and night out.

Crossland joins the other two transfers as guys who will be sure to crack any lineup for the Panthers.

He had just four points and five rebounds against St. Francis, but Spoonhour is sure all three will be an important part of the team.

“Those three guys are really important, and I mean they change a lot of stuff,” Spoonhour said.

It is clear on how important those three will be for the team, and there is also one more to add to the list.

Logan Koch comes in as just a freshman on a team filled with upperclassmen, but he may just find his way in there sooner than later.

Along with his chance to hit the court at any time this season, Koch also has an opportunity to learn from the older guys on the team.

With the newcomers on the Panther team, as well as the returning starters, a special season could be in store for Eastern.

Maher Kawash can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].