[ot-caption title=”Senior co-captain Antonio Vrankovic slams home 2 of of his team high 24 points during the Panther’s 63-43 win against South Broward in the home opener. (via Lindsey Bornstein, Junior)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/antonio-dunk.jpg”]

Basketball is a major sport in South Florida, and as high school competition increases, Pine Crest’s three-time state champion Panthers are hoping to continue their success in the competitive 4A District 14. On November 18th, the Panthers began their season with a strong win against South Broward High School. The inconsistent play since that game has resulted in a 4-4 record, recording easy wins over lesser opponents Miami Country Day, North Florida Educational Institute, and Grace Academy International.

Leading the young team are senior co-captains Antonio Vrankovic and AJ Sacks. It is impossible not to notice Antonio on campus as he stands at a towering 6’11”. He has already received offers to play Division 1 basketball in college from LaSalle University, Texas Tech, San Fransisco and many Ivy League schools amongst others. Antonio currently leads the team in scoring and rebounding with twenty-eight points per game and fifteen rebounds per game, and he makes his presence known on defense as well with just about four blocks per game. AJ, the Panther’s starting point guard, is the team’s floor general, running the offense and leading the group on and off the court. Currently averaging six assists per game, it is easy to see why the Panther’s offense is so explosive when AJ is on the floor.

The start of the 2014-2015 season marked Coach David Beckerman’s eleventh season at the helm for the Panthers, and he has been with Pine Crest at their finest hour and their lowest moment. He holds an all time record of 227-61 and has piloted the team to 6 consecutive state semifinals, including back to back state championships in 2008 and 2009. Coach Beckerman believes that this year’s team will present a new challenge in his coaching career, stating, “[the team] is young and lacks considerable experience, but has the potential to improve and be a factor at the end of the season.” A key word here is potential. Coach Beckerman believes the team has potential to improve, and such potential can only be reached through hard work and learning experiences.

There are only four seniors on this year’s team, which matches the number of freshmen. It is clear that, as Coach Beckerman stated, the team’s co-captains have a heavy load of leadership to carry and they all share one goal. “Our ultimate goal is the state finals”, remarked center Antonio Vrankovic, “We’re going to have to work hard every game… Who knows.” Antonio knows what this team is capable of, and coming off of two losses by a combined nine points, the team knows that they have to capitalize on winnable games. Anything can happen in the game of basketball, and although the 2014 Panthers may be young, they have enjoyed a hot start to the season and are prepared to fire on all cylinders come playoff time. Be on the lookout for the Panthers when they come back home on Thursday, December 11, to take on Somerset Academy, and who knows, Antonio might just send an emphatic block into your section.